Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has approved the establishment of a 10 megawatts (MW) Independent Power Project (IPP) at the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu to tackle electricity challenges in the campus and its environs.
Otti made this known on Thursday while receiving the lawmaker representing Isiukwuato Constituency, Mr Lucky Johnson , who defected from Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to Labour Party(LP), in Otamkpa, Isiukwuato Local Government Area.
The governor said that the project, would not only power the university but would also provide steady electricity supply to the host community of Uturu.
He said that the state’s recent passage of the Abia State Electricity Law paved the way for such projects without needing federal approval.
“A few weeks ago, we signed the Abia State Electricity Bill into law, so we no longer need to go to anybody for approval to set up renewable energy or IPP, whether integrated power or standalone,” Otti said.
He also disclosed that plans were underway to establish the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA), pending the approval of the Abia House of Assembly.
Otti said that a native of the state who had successfully handled similar power projects in Canada had returned home to head the new agency.
“We are saying that the days of darkness are over and you know, once light comes in, darkness takes flight,” Otti said.
He said that the benefits of this project would go beyond electricity, promising improvements in other critical infrastructure such as roads.
“We do not want potholes in Abia State; we want smooth driving, and we are going to gradually get to all the roads,” he added.
In their separate speeches, the lawmaker representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Mr Amobi Ogah, and the Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, described the governor as a visionary leader.
They called on the people of Abia to rally behind him to ensure he secures a second term in office.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, hailed the present administration’s rebuilding agenda.
Uwanna expressed confidence in the governor’s continued leadership, emphasising that his performance had surpassed expectations.
In their separate remarks, the President General of Isuikwuato Development Union, Chief Chidiebere Uguru and President General of Uturu Development Union, Dr. Chidi Mba, lauded the governor’s capacity and foresight.
They said that Isuikwuato people had adopted him even before his election and currently benefit from the infrastructure development agenda of the government in the area.
In an interview with newsmen, Mr Johnson, said that he had officially defected from PDP to LP.
He said that with his entry to the party and the support of other key stakeholders, all political structures in Isuikwuato have collapsed into the LP.
Johnson said that Isuikwuato would play a decisive role in securing Otti’s re-election in 2027
Also, a member of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA), Dr Onyinyechi Rufus-Obi, commended the government’s efforts to establish an independent power facility in ABSU.
Rufus-Obi described the initiative as a welcome development that would improve the livelihood of people in the state.
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