Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has officially inaugurated a five-member board for the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA), tasking them with the critical mission of concluding ongoing negotiations with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and facilitating the acquisition of the Umuahia ring-fence power distribution area. The newly appointed board members include Mr. Onyegbule Emeka as Chairman and CEO, Mr. Ikowu Ukwu and Engr. Iheanyi Eze as Executive Directors, and Onwuegbule Kareem Eberechukwu alongside Dr. Joy Oti as Non-Executive Directors.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place at the Government House in Umuahia, saw Governor Otti expressing a strong commitment to addressing the persistent power supply challenges in the state. He emphasized the administration’s intention to detach Umuahia from the national power grid once the acquisition process is finalized. The proposed Umuahia ring-fence area includes Umuahia North and South, Ikwuano, Bende, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, Umunneochi, and Arochukwu local government areas.
Governor Otti highlighted that discussions with EEDC are nearing completion, and once finalized, payment will be made to fully assume control over the region’s power distribution. He further elaborated on the state’s plan to utilize excess electricity capacity from the Geometric Power Plant, which currently holds a stored capacity of 188 megawatts, including three operational turbines delivering 141 megawatts and a fourth turbine expected soon.
According to the Governor, the Aba ring-fence area requires no more than 100 megawatts, leaving a surplus of about 88 megawatts that can be redirected to Umuahia to ensure consistent power supply, rather than sending it to the national grid. He stressed that reliable electricity is foundational for the industrial growth of the state, reaffirming its central role in his administration’s development agenda.
Otti also recounted his long-term support for the Geometric Power project, which took two decades to materialize, and expressed confidence in the competence and integrity of the appointed board members. He assured that the agency would benefit from the support of an experienced Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday.
Responding on behalf of the board, Executive Director Engr. Iheanyi Eze pledged to realize the Governor’s vision of improved electricity access, promising to deliver affordable, high-quality power and enhance customer service across the state.