•Umuahia North to benefit first
From Mark Chukwu, Umuahia
In a move to boost the ongoing reforms in the state’s power sector, the Abia State Government (ABSG) through the State Ministry of Power and Public Utilities has released a final draft of the state’s Minigrid regulations.
The Minigrid was developed to support the expansion of reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity access across underserved and unserved communities across the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing journalists in Government House Umuahia on Monday, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said that the initiative aligns with the broader vision of Governor Otti for enhanced rural electrification through private sector participation and enabling regulatory settings for mini-grid development. He added that when the initiative becomes operational, it would be of much benefit to communities across the state, but most especially those in the northern part of the state which appear to be more underserved.
“This initiative aligns with the broader vision of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti for enhanced rural electrification through private sector participation and enabling regulatory settings for Minigrid development.
“The draft regulations outline the legal, technical, and commercial framework for Minigrid operations. And this is a vital step towards building a transparent and enabling environment for decentralised energy systems in Abia state,” Prince Kanu stated.
The Commissioner also revealed that a 10-man Abia Advisory Council on Electricity set up to render professional advice to the Governor on issues concerning power and electricity in the state would be inaugurated on Thursday, 24th of July, 2025. He said that the advisory council forms one of the strategic steps taken by the state government to improve on the power sector of the state.
Prince Kanu said that, in line with the Governor’s promise to provide potable water for every household in Abia state, the Okwoyi Water Scheme project, located in Iseke, Ibeku in Umuahia North would be commissioned on the 23rd of July, 2025. He informed that, the state government has donated a 1,000 kVA transformer that will serve Niger Street by Bende Road, Methodist by Okwulehe Street through CPS, all in Umuahia.
He said that the transformer is meant to serve residents in those parts of Umuahia, adding that it is in fulfilment of the state government’s initiative to ensure regular power supply for Abians across the state.
He informed that the Abia football competition, tagged “Abia Soccer Festival”, designed to run from the wards to the LGAs and to the state has kicked off with community play- offs at various Local Government Areas of the state.
The Information boss announced that the Abia TechRise Cohort 2 Computer Based Test (CBT) has been fixed for Friday, 25th of July, 2025, informing that all successful applicants would receive updates about the exam before the 25th of July.
While revealing that so far, a total of 8,167 applications were received, he said that a total of 1,407 applications were unsuccessful because of invalid or fake Abia State Social Identification Number (ABSIN) the applicants attached to their online applications.
The Commissioner who informed that, the state successfully hosted the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) stakeholders Town Hall engagement tour last week, noted that action has already begun for the state’s 2026 Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP) , adding that plans are already ongoing to ensure that Abia takes a rightful place among the comity of states in Nigeria. It’s worthy to note that Abia state moved from number 33 to 21 in the Ease of Doing Business rating index. He said that, it is expected that the state’s rating on the Ease of Doing Business Index would improve when the 2025 ratings for states are released.
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha were present at the press briefing.
