The Abia State Government, through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Power and Public Utilities, has successfully completed the Ukwa West Power Restoration Project, restoring electricity supply to 33 communities across Ukwa West Local Government Area.
The official power switch-on ceremony will be performed by Governor Alex Otti, today Monday, December 22, 2025, at 12 noon, at Central Primary School, Obehie.
The power restoration project was executed by ASOPADEC under the supervision of the Abia State Ministry of Power and Public Utilities, in line with Governor Otti’s directive issued during the flag-off of the reconstruction of the 11.1km Obehie–Umudobia–Owaza Road on March 11, 2025.
Following the Governor’s directive, the Ministry of Power and Public Utilities carried out a comprehensive assessment of electricity infrastructure across Ukwa West LGA to ascertain their operational status. The assessment covered 33 distribution transformer substations, many of which were found to have suffered extensive vandalism. Critical components damaged or stolen included transformers, armored cables between transformers and feeder pillars, up-riser and down-drop cables, earthing copper cables, feeder pillars, D-fuses, lightning arresters, and other essential accessories.
Determined to restore power to the affected communities, the Ministry, in collaboration with ASOPADEC, immediately mobilized to site and executed extensive rehabilitation works across the local government area. The project scope included the rehabilitation and reconstruction of distribution substations, high-tension and low-tension power lines, and other associated infrastructure. Arrangements have also been made for the Abia Power Limited Electricity (APLE) to provide meters to ensure effective and transparent billing.
Key achievements of the Ukwa West Power Restoration Project include:
1. Rehabilitation and construction of 33 distribution transformer substations
2. Rehabilitation of 12 vandalized sections of high-tension overhead lines totaling 34km
3. Rehabilitation of low-tension overhead lines at the Obehie axis covering 3km of high-tension lines across 11 communities
The rehabilitated high-tension line sections include:
Umudobia to Obehie – 3km
Umuelechi to Obibor – 5km
Umukalu to Umuorie – 5km
Obahu Asa to Umudiuru Village – 3km
Okohia – 5km
Imo River – 5km
144 Battalion Asa to Umuojuohia – 1.5km
Umuojuohia to Umuelechi – 3km
Umuahala – 3km
Umuiku Ozaa – 0.3km
Ezendioma – 5 spans
Owaza–Umuaka network – 600 metres
Communities benefiting from rehabilitated low-tension lines at the Obehie axis include: Umuiku Ozaa, Umuahala, Okohia, Umuaka, Umuelechi, Imo River I, Mkpuwe, Umuokwor, Umuajuohia, Umudiuru, and Umudieme.
The 33 distribution transformer substations ready for commissioning are located at: Umuelechi/Umuakpaka, Umuelechi/Umuokocha, Umuelechi/Umuogar, Obehie Egbelu, Umuokwor, Umuada, Oborhia, Umuadieme, Umuajuohia, Umuahala I, Umuahala II, Obiga, Omumuozo, Ezendioma, Imo River I, One Man Country, Okahia, Umuiku Ozza, Umukalu, Obehie Junction (by Umudobia Road), CPS Obehie, Umuokpara, Umuituru Village, Mkpukwe Asa, Umuaka, Imo River II, Uzuaku I, Uzuaku II, Umunteke II, Umunteke Anglican Church, Obehie, Obibor, and Umudobia.
The Ukwa West Power Restoration Project underscores the Alex Otti administration’s commitment to infrastructure renewal, inclusive development, and improved quality of life for oil-producing and host communities across Abia State.
