Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed the Abia State Electricity Bill into law, granting the state the authority to regulate its electricity market.
Speaking at his country home in Umuehim Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South, Otti stated that the law empowers the government to implement its electricity policies and will lead to the creation of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA). The 64-page law aims to support the state’s power initiatives and extend electricity to the remaining eight local government areas not covered under the Aba ring-fence agreement with Geometric Power Limited.
Otti emphasized that the legislation would attract and protect investors, promote renewable energy, and potentially enable Abia to supply electricity to other parts of the South East and South-South regions. He noted that Abia is uniquely positioned to benefit from the Electricity Act of 2023, which allows states to regulate their power sector.
The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, described the bill as a major milestone that aligns with the Governor’s vision for economic growth. Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, highlighted that the law addresses power generation, distribution, regulation, and vandalism prevention.
The establishment of ASERA is expected soon, as the state moves toward independent power generation and distribution.
