The Abia State Government has commenced the first phase of the distribution of 50 electricity transformers to communities across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas as part of efforts to improve power supply and expand access to electricity.
Speaking during the distribution exercise in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engineer Ikechukwu Monday, said the initiative is in line with Governor Alex Otti’s directive to restore electricity to communities affected by faulty or unavailable transformers while strengthening power infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
Engineer Monday disclosed that 50 communities are benefiting from the first phase of the programme, adding that another 50 communities will receive transformers during the second phase scheduled for the third quarter of the year.
He explained that beneficiary communities were selected based on their level of need and urged residents to safeguard the facilities against vandalism, noting that damage to the transformers could disrupt electricity supply and affect community development.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hon. Anthony Chinasa Abiola and the President General of Okaiuga Nkwoegwu, Engineer Victor Ihediwa, expressed appreciation to Governor Alex Otti for the intervention.
They assured the state government that the communities would take ownership of the transformers by protecting the facilities to ensure improved and sustainable electricity supply.
The transformer distribution initiative forms part of the Abia State Government’s broader efforts to strengthen electricity infrastructure, improve power access and support socio-economic development across the state.
