The Abia State Government has concluded arrangements to acquire a 60 percent stake in the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) assets within the state from its major shareholder, Interstate Electric.
With this strategic acquisition, the government will take control of electricity generation, regulation, and distribution across eight ring-fenced local government areas in Abia Central and Abia North senatorial zones.
Disclosing this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Umuahia, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the initiative is in line with Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to strengthen the state’s power sector as a driver of economic growth and industrial expansion.
“This is a landmark step toward achieving energy independence for Abia. The eight local governments under the ring-fenced arrangement will soon experience improved electricity supply and a new lease of life,” Prince Kanu said.
He added that the deal was approaching completion and would pave the way for massive infrastructure upgrades in the state’s electricity distribution network.
In a related development, the Commissioner announced that the State Executive Council has approved the restoration of electricity supply to Ohafia before the end of 2025. He noted that the town has been in darkness for several years, and the restoration project is designed to support the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) in accelerating development across the region.
Prince Kanu further revealed that the 25-kilometre Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, recently handed over to the state government for reconstruction by the Federal Ministry of Works under President Bola Tinubu’s directive, will be officially flagged off on Friday, October 24.
According to him, the government has also awarded new contracts for key road projects, including:
The 13.1km Ariam–Usaka Ring Road in Ikwuano LGA
The 9.35km Ihechiowa–Arochukwu Ring Road
The 4.9km Isieketa–Mba Itungwa–Mgbedeala Road in Isiala Ngwa South LGA
The 3.72km Ogidi–Umuala Eziama Ntigha Road in Isiala Ngwa North LGA
He said these road projects are part of the state’s ongoing infrastructure revolution aimed at boosting trade, mobility, and rural development.
Prince Kanu also announced that Abia will join the rest of the world to celebrate World Food Day on Thursday, October 16, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. The event, themed “Hand-in-Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” he said, highlights the importance of collaboration in creating sustainable and inclusive food systems.
He urged stakeholders in the agricultural sector to work together to end hunger, improve nutrition, and ensure a food-secure future for Abians.
Speaking further, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, confirmed that negotiations with Interstate Electric had been concluded and that the government would soon begin the next phase of the acquisition process.
“We’ve concluded our bids and secured government approval to proceed. Mobilisation to site begins this week,” Engr. Monday said. “We’ve also started engaging local communities, especially through GODA, to ensure their support. Our target is to restore power to Ohafia before the end of the year.”
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