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The Abia State government, has at last concluded negotiations on the long-anticipated bid to acquire 60 percent stake of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) assets in the state with the acceptance of the state government’s offer to Interstate Electrics.
The agreement automatically activates the next phase of the transactions aimed at ensuring that the Abia State Government controls the generation, regulation and distribution of electric power in the eight-ring fenced LGAS of Abia Central and North senatorial zones.
Okey Kanu, Abia State Commissioner for Information, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Monday at Government House Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
He said that the negotiation was in line with the government’s vision to strengthen the power sector in the state, in order to drive the economic development of the state.
“The long-anticipated bid to acquire 60% stake of EEDC assets in the state has come to fruition, with the acceptance of the state government’s offer by Interstate Electrics.
“With this laudable development, Abia State, particularly the eight local government areas that will be ring fenced under this arrangement, will experience a new lease of life with regards to their power needs.
“As the transaction further unfolds, we will keep you duly informed of developments,” Kanu assured.
In a related development, the Commissioner further revealed that the State Executive Council has approved the restoration of power supply to Ohafia, after many years of being in the darkness.
He said that, when fully restored, the power supply would enhance the development plans of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority.
The commissioner announced that the state government recently awarded contracts for the construction of five roads. On October 24, 2025, two of the roads would be flagged-off for construction namely: the 25 km Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road and the 13.1 km Ariam-Usaka ring road in Ikwuano LGA.
According to Kanu, the rest of the roads set for construction are the 9.35km Ihechiowa -Arochukwu ring road, the 4.9km Isieketa-Mba Itungwa-Mgbedeala road, Isialangwa South and the 3.72 km Ogidi-Umuala Eziama Ntigha road in Isialangwa North LGA.
He noted that the construction of these five roads is in line with the ongoing road infrastructural revolution of the present administration, He said when completed, they will open up the areas for business activities and development.
Kanu equally announced that the state would on the 15th of this month join the rest of the world in celebrating this year’s “World Food Day” which is themed “Hand in Hand For Better Food and a Better Future” at the International Conference Center Umuahia.
The information commissioner noted that this year’s theme underscores the importance of collective action in achieving sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems and called on stakeholders in the agricultural sector to work in synergy towards ending hunger, improving nutrition as well as securing the future for all.
Ikechukwu Monday, Commissioner for Public Utilities, in his contribution, confirmed the state has been in discussions with Interstate Electric, who owns 60 percent of EEDC assets, in the state. He also threw more light on the restoration of power in Ohafia.
“So, we have concluded negotiations in terms of our bids. And this automatically activates the next phase of the transaction,” he said.
“To throw more light on the Ohafia power issue, which has been lingering for more than seven years.
“We have concluded plans to start. It has been approved by the state government. We will be mobilising to site this week.
“We have already started engaging the communities to provide support in partnership with Greater Ohafia Development Authority, GODA. So, this project’s target is that we’ll be able to return electricity supply to Ohafia before the end of the year,” Monday stated.
