Being the Text of an Address Presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construction of 1X7.5MVA, 33/11KVA Injection Substation, 1KM of 33KV Line, 1.2KM of 11KV Line, 2KM of 0.415KV Low-Tension Line and the Installation of Two (2Nos) 300KVA, 11/0.415KV Distribution Substations in Umuahia Metropolis on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the State Secretariat, Ogurube Government Station Layout
Protocols
1. I would like to begin on a note of gratitude to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, for its bold leadership and unyielding commitment to value creation across the broad spectrum of the national electricity ecosystem covering generation, transmission and distribution. It is reassuring to observe that notwithstanding the multiple setbacks that had been experienced in the push for reliable power supply in the country, succeeding administrations have continued to push and explore new ways of tackling what has evolved into a perennial national embarrassment. With the gradual but steady progress that have been made in the last few years, especially with the liberalisation of the electricity market through the National Electricity Act of 2023, I am doubly optimistic that we shall overcome the challenge of sub-optimal electricity output in the not-too-distant future, if we stay course. Today’s event, the groundbreaking ceremony of multiple electricity infrastructure projects in Umuahia, further strengthens my conviction that it is only a matter of time before we put the setbacks arising from failure in the electricity value chain behind us. May I on this note specially thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for effective redirection of the national outlook on electricity to accommodate a broader spectrum of stakeholders including States, private sector players and a network of international partners. I would like to heartily thank the NDPHC Management led by Engr. Jennifer Adighije, FNSE, for looking favourably to our State for these strategic infrastructure investments designed to improve power distribution within and around our capital city. This gesture has further strengthened our conviction in the power of partnership as a reliable development vehicle. Let me promptly assure the decision-makers at the NDPHC that the Abia State Government shall leverage every resource at its disposal to see to the timely actualisation and activation of these projects in ways that serve the economic and social needs of the communities.
2. It is appropriate to announce that these landmark infrastructure projects further deepen NDPHC’s presence in the State following the completion and commissioning of Phase 1 of the Alaoji Power Plant and the ongoing work on Phase 2 of the project. We cannot thank you enough for your expanding investments in Abia and then, your optimism in the potential of our State as an emerging economic powerhouse. I can assure that these investments would ultimately yield great dividends, not just strictly on returns on investments but in the wider impact on the economy through higher industrial outputs, job creation and resuscitation of dormant economic assets. The commitments you are making in this place would also draw the attention of investors and multiple economic actors. My verdict is that the NDPHC, through its investments, is accelerating national development by solving a problem that had hitherto limited the productivity of the people and restricted the capacity to create wealth through productive endeavours.
3. Electricity as we had pointed out is the wheel that drives industrial and commercial activities. Intensive research efforts have established that regular electricity supply and consumption are positively correlated to most critical development indicators like GDP growth, industrial productivity, trade and investments inflows. For us, electricity is the foundation of development, the enabler of growth and the most enduring pathway to social prosperity. Our commitment to expanding access to electricity is firmed on the understanding that without it, every development aspiration is entirely an exercise in self-deceit.
4. As a government, we have taken bold and pragmatic steps to fix the electricity conundrum in our State through informed legislation, policy initiatives, recruitment, investment and partnerships. We have prioritised the optimisation of energy supply and consumption for the simple reason that our broad development outline would fall apart if we cannot generate and push enough power to the frontlines of economic activities around the State. The road to energy sufficiency is still far but our progress in the last 30 months gives plenty of reasons for optimism. In the Aba ring-fenced electricity corridor, supply has continued to move northwards, the distribution of prepaid meters to consumers is also picking up and gradually, the private-sector led energy systems architecture in Aba and environs is racing towards operational stability. Furthermore, our success in the acquisition of state-wide energy distribution infrastructure outside the Aba ring-fence corridor from a private investor speaks to our determination to holistically address the perennial challenge of poor infrastructure, not only in Aba and adjoining communities, but across every other neighbourhood in the State. It is our contention that access to electricity should be a right and not privilege reserved only for the rich in the urban centres.
5 Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to inform you that when we realised that the NDPHC was going to instal a 7.5MVA injection substation, we decided to proactively match them with another 7.5MVA to raise the capacity to 15MVA as that is what will effectively serve Umuahia and environs. This is captured in the 2026 Appropriation bill and work will commence as soon as the budget is activated.
6. The electricity-for-all initiative is at the heart of the mini-grid regulatory framework which we recently signed with a network of international partners. You may also recall that we have since set up the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) to reposition the electricity market in the State as a model of reliability, transparency and fairness. Our overarching objective is to make the market attractive to local and international investors and then protect families and corporate entities from extortion. My message to anyone hoping to tap into the long-term goldmine, that is electricity, is that Abia offers the best prospect as the NDPHC, through its streams of investments in the State, has demonstrated. With the enabling law and other support structures we have put in place, Abia not only guarantees the security of your investments, its growing market offers long-term promise of sustainability.
7. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony, beyond being a practical vote of confidence on the validity of our reforms, is also an open invitation to interested investors — Abia is open for business. It is instructive to note that all necessary administrative and regulatory frameworks have been set up to facilitate seamless entry into the market. If you need further support, my office is always open to listen and provide relevant leverages within the limits of enabling laws. Our ultimate goal is to build a stable, private-sector led electricity market in Abia. The point to take home for all of us is that no matter where you function in the value chain, there is a market for you here.
8. Let me, as I conclude, respectfully invite the NDPHC to prioritise the timely delivery of this project because of its strategic importance to the economic growth and development of our nation. I have great confidence in the managerial competences of the team to get this done and as I had earlier committed, the State Government shall throw in every support required to complete every layer of the entire project. On a final note, may I acknowledge the generous support offered to the success of this event by the State Ministry of Power and Public Utilities led by Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, the Honourable Commissioner, and everyone involved in the State energy architecture. Thank you for your continuing dedication and commitment to the actualisation of the Abia energy roadmap. Let me once again remind you that the road ahead is still far and a whole lot more work would be required. To our friends and partners who have come from different parts of the country and beyond to witness this occasion, thank you for coming and do have a safe trip as you return to your destinations.
9. Thank you for listening and may God bless all of you.
Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR,
December 3, 2025