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Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has inaugurated a five-member board for the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA), tasking them with the responsibility of finalising negotiations with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to acquire the ring-fenced Umuahia power zone.
The newly constituted board includes Onyegbule Emeka as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Ikowu Ukwu and Engr. Iheanyi Eze as Executive Directors, Onwuegbule Kareem Eberechukwu and Dr. Joy Oti as Non-Executive Directors.
Speaking during the inauguration at the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Otti reaffirmed his commitment to removing the Abia capital from the national electricity grid and resolving its lingering power supply issues.
“We are at the final stages of negotiations with EEDC, the idea for us is to acquire the Umuahia ringed-fence and that includes Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Ikwuano, Bende, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, Umunneochi and Arochukwu,” he announced.
“So, we are almost done and by the time negotiations are completed, payment would be made and we will pull Umuahia out of EEDC.”
He explained that Abia’s revised energy strategy builds on the state’s partnership with Geometric Power, noting that the original agreement allowed excess capacity to be fed into the national grid.
“The original agreement with Geometric before the amendment of the law was that any excess capacity would be sent to the national grid.
“Our plan right now, because Geometric has a stored capacity of 188 megawatts of energy, though they have three turbines with the capacity of 141 megawatts, the fourth turbine should be on the way any moment from now.
“At maximum load, we believe that Aba ringed-fence should not require more than a 100 megawatts. So, there is a balance of 88 megawatts.
“Our proposal is for it to be wheeled into Umuahia rather than sending it to the national grid. If we have 88 megawatts, at least we can guarantee steady supply of power,” he said.
Governor Otti emphasised that electricity is central to his administration’s agenda, stating that no meaningful industrialisation can occur without a reliable power supply. He also recalled his long-standing support for Geometric Power, which had been in development for two decades before its eventual commissioning.
He added that the board members were chosen strictly on merit and expressed confidence in their ability to deliver results.
Responding on behalf of the board, Executive Director Engr. Iheanyi Eze praised the governor’s vision and pledged to fulfill the agency’s mandate of ensuring quality and affordable electricity for Abians.
