Governor Alex Otti has declared that Abia State is on course to achieving energy independence following the revival of the Alaoji Power Plant in Aba.
Otti made the declaration while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, and her management team during a courtesy visit to his office.
The governor described the restoration of operations at the power facility as a significant breakthrough in the state’s quest for stable electricity supply, industrial growth and economic transformation.
“I commended the revival of the Alaoji Power Plant, Aba, a development that marks a significant milestone in our collective drive towards stable and uninterrupted electricity supply in Abia State,” Otti stated.
According to him, the power plant is currently dispatching about 375 megawatts to the national grid, with expansion plans expected to raise generation capacity to nearly 800 megawatts and potentially 1,100 megawatts in the future.
“With operations restored, the plant currently dispatches about 375MW to the national grid, and plans are underway to expand its capacity to nearly 800MW, with prospects of reaching 1,100MW in the future,” he said.
The governor noted that electricity remains at the centre of his administration’s development agenda, stressing that reforms initiated in the power sector are designed to place greater control of energy generation and distribution in the hands of the state.
He disclosed that the government had already ring-fenced the Aba industrial cluster and was concluding arrangements to acquire the Umuahia electricity axis of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.
“These steps will place generation, regulation, and distribution substantially under the control of Abia State,” the governor said.
Otti also expressed confidence that collaboration with NDPHC would enable direct wheeling of electricity from the Alaoji plant to the remaining eight local government areas outside the Aba corridor.
“I expressed optimism that our collaboration with NDPHC will enable us to wheel power directly from Alaoji to the remaining eight LGAs outside the Aba corridor, ensuring that homes, schools, hospitals, and industries across the state enjoy reliable electricity,” he added.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development and economic growth, the governor said the state was laying the foundation for long-term prosperity through strategic investments in the energy sector.
“Together, we are building the infrastructure that powers life, production, and prosperity. Abia is ready to lead the way in energy independence,” Otti declared.
