In a groundbreaking move, the Imo State Government has granted a licence to Orashi Electricity Company Limited to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, marking the end of the state’s reliance on the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company. This pivotal event took place in Owerri and was attended by key stakeholders and government officials.
Commissioner for Power and Electrification, Engineer Nwabueze Oguchienti, hailed the ceremony as a significant leap forward in the Hope Uzodimma-led administration’s mission to secure a constant and reliable electricity supply for Imo State.
“This marks a crucial step forward in our efforts to ensure constant and reliable electricity supply. We are committed to changing the narrative on power supply within the next year,” Oguchienti declared. He emphasized that this initiative stems from the constitutional amendment last year of the Electricity Act of 2023, which now empowers states to manage their power sectors.
Oguchienti detailed the governor’s swift actions in laying the legal groundwork and establishing the regulatory commission, marking this development as a milestone in tackling the state’s erratic power supply issues. “I can assure you that in the next one year, it will be a different story in the state because we are committed to have a changed narrative when it comes to power supply,” he confidently stated.
The licence was formally presented to the management of Orashi Electricity Company by Hon. Sam Nwaire, Chairman of the Imo State Electricity Regulation Commission (ISERC). Nwaire noted, “With this interim licence, we pave the way for a more robust energy sector. This development positions Imo State as a frontrunner in electricity regulation among Nigerian states.”
Valentine Obumeyan, General Manager of Orashi Electricity Company Ltd, expressed gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodimma for his visionary leadership. “Our mandate is to ensure stable electricity supply in all 27 local government areas of the state within a year. We are ready to support the governor’s vision,” Obumeyan affirmed.
This landmark decision promises to transform Imo State’s energy landscape, bringing hope and stability to its residents and setting a precedent for other states in Nigeria.
