Abia State Governor Alex Otti on Monday commissioned the restoration of electricity to 33 communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area, ending a nine-year power blackout.

The project was executed through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) as part of the government’s commitment to improving living conditions in the state’s oil-producing communities.

Governor Otti, during the switch-on ceremony in Obehie, urged residents to protect the newly installed electric facilities from vandalism and theft, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with the local community.

“Nobody can do it better than you. Those thieves do not come from heaven—they are part of the community,” he said.

In response to concerns about high electricity bills, Governor Otti directed selected stakeholders to convene and explore ways to subsidize costs for residents.

Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, explained that the restoration project involved rehabilitating 30 transformer distribution substations, installing 12 new transformers, restoring 34 kilometers of high-tension lines, and 3.5 kilometers of low-tension lines. All benefiting communities are now being metered to ensure effective billing, reinforcing electricity as a key component of Abia’s development agenda.