The Abia State Government has restored electricity supply to 33 oil-producing communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area, bringing to an end about nine years of total blackout and infrastructural neglect.

Governor Alex Otti disclosed this on Monday during the official power switch-on ceremony held at Central Primary School, Obehie, Ukwa West LGA.

The restoration project was executed by the Abia State Government through the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC), under the supervision of the Ministry of Power and Public Utilities, in fulfilment of a commitment made by the governor to the affected communities in March 2025.

Otti, who arrived at the venue in the newly launched Abia Green Shuttle electric vehicle (EV) bus alongside members of his cabinet, recalled that he had promised to restore electricity to the area and to investigate the case of Mr Promise Onwukwe, a staff affected during the blackout period.

According to the governor, the matter had been resolved and the officer restored to service as earlier assured.

The governor urged residents of Ukwa West to take collective responsibility for the protection of electricity infrastructure in their communities, warning against vandalism and theft.

“I believe that we have a responsibility to protect what is in our community. Nobody can do it better than you.

“And those thieves do not come from heaven; they are all part and parcel of the community,” Otti said.

Responding to concerns raised by community members over the possibility of high electricity bills following the restoration, the governor directed that key stakeholders should immediately engage in discussions to find workable solutions.

“That is how society works. I will give a job to the Mayor to sit down with the Honourable Member, the Commissioner and all capable stakeholders so that we can work out a way to support those who cannot pay,” he added.

In his remarks, the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele, commended the Otti-led administration for what he described as significant achievements within a short period.

Adiele assured the governor of massive electoral support from Ukwa West in the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that developmental projects in the area would be sustained.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, said the power restoration project involved the rehabilitation of 30 transformer distribution substations, installation of 12 new transformers, restoration of 34 kilometres of high-tension lines and 3.5 kilometres of low-tension lines.

He added that the benefiting communities were currently being metered to ensure effective billing and accountability, stressing that electricity remained a critical pillar of the state’s development agenda.

Also speaking, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aba Power Limited, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji, assured residents of steady power supply, noting that Ukwa West falls within the nine local government areas serviced by Aba Power.

Nnaji confirmed that 33 transformers and several distribution lines had been installed in the area, adding that electricity supplied to the communities would be generated outside the national grid.

He appealed to residents to shun vandalism, energy theft and other acts capable of undermining the sustainability of the project.

Earlier in his address, the General Manager of ASOPADEC, Rev. Joshua Onyeike, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for what he described as a historic intervention in Asa land.

“It is with joy and happiness that we have come to do this important assignment to ensure that the light His Excellency promised us on March 11, 2025, has been dutifully restored.

“This switching-on of electricity today will inaugurate many great things that are still to come,” Onyeike said.

The event was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; Commissioners, including the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, and the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu; as well as a former Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Ralph Egbu, among other government officials and community leaders.