Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, on Friday, inaugurated the Orashi 15MVA, 33/11KV injection substation in Owerri built to end “epileptic power supply” and drive the state’s industrialisation effort.
In a speech at the ceremony, Uzodimma commended President Bola Tinubu for his “visionary wisdom” in signing the Electricity Act in 2023.
“If not for this law, which empowers subnational governments to invest in power generation, transmission, and distribution, we would not have been here today for this inauguration,” he said.
He also thanked the president for transferring the Egbema Power Plant to the state, describing the gesture as a “bold action” that facilitated the state’s transition toward energy sovereignty.
He said that the inauguration marked the first phase of the Light-up Imo Project by the Orashi Licensed Electricity Company.
The governor said that the project would provide alternative and reliable power that would strengthen the power network, not only within Owerri but across the 27 LGAs of the state.
“We are moving from a generator-based economy to a productive, power-driven one.
“We have completed the 15-kilometre 33kv line network, stretching from Egbu to New Owerri, supported by an extensive 45-kilometre distribution network that will immediately bring stable and reliable power to residential and commercial areas across this axis of Owerri,” he said.
The governor said the state would leverage the natural gas reserves in the state to ensure that “our power supply is sustainable and locally sourced.”
He, however, urged every community to “jealously” protect power infrastructure in their domain.
In an address, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the facility represented “tangible progress” in strengthening the electricity network in the state.
Adelabu commended the “progressive leadership” of Uzodimma for the successful implementation of the project under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“The decision to invest in electricity network infrastructure that directly improves supply reliability and access is both strategic and forward looking.
“The project reflects Uzodimma’s bold, visionary and transformational leadership.
“By prioritising electricity as a driver of development, Uzodimma’s administration has laid a strong foundation for rapid growth, job creation, industrial expansion and good quality of life for the entire people of Imo,” the minister said.
He also said that Tinubu’s decision to decentralise and liberalise the power sector had attracted over 2 billion dollars in investment since 2023.
According to him, the combination of political will, institutional reforms and targeted infrastructural investment is the pathway to unlocking sustainable electricity development.
He highlighted other achievements of Tinubu’s administration in the power sector to include the development of a national integration electricity policy, and the transition of the power industry to full commercialisation.
“We have improved the installed capacity of our power generation in the country from 30 gigawatts to 40 gigawatts,” he said.
The minister also said the Federal Government, in conjunction with the World Bank and electricity distribution companies, has distributed free metres to Nigerians in a bid to improve power delivery. (NAN)
