Governor Alex Otti has signed into law the Abia State Electricity bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
The law empowers the State to regulate its own electricity market.
This is even as the state government said it would in collaboration with the federal government revamp Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum, all in Umuahia.
Otti, while assenting to the bill, said with the law, the State would soon set up Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA).
The Governor said that the 64 page law would support the power initiatives of the government which will stand the test of time, stressing that it would strengthen the plans of government to extend power to the rest of the 8 LGAs of the State having sealed the Aba ring – fence with Geometric power limited covering 9 LGAs.
“This is a document that will stand the test of time. It is a document that will protect the investment of everyone that wants to invest in Abia. It is also a document that speaks renewable energy,”
“The remaining 8 local government areas in the State that are not under the Aba ring – fence, we are working hard to bring them under the Umuahia ring – fence.
“So, this legislation would support that initiative and we are very close to signing an MoU moving forward in that direction. It also would protect prospective investors in power generation,” he said.
Presenting the bill for signing, the Speaker, Abia State House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa said the State was on the right path with the electricity bill.
He described the bill as a milestone achievement, adding that it is a big business investment for the State and that the State House of Assembly understands the vision of the Governor and has to be committed to ensuring that he achieves his vision for the people of the State.
Meanwhile, the state government has said it will in collaboration with the federal government revamp the Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum, all in Umuahia.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu who disclosed this in Umuahia while briefing the press said they would turn both sites into world class tourism destinations.
He stated that the initiative aims to preserve history while attracting tourists to the state.
The Commissioner equally informed that the government has discovered over 55 viable heritage sites across the state and vowed to reactivate them to boost tourism.
