Economy
Abia Governor Alex Otti Signs Electricity Bill Into Law

Abia Governor Alex Otti Signs Electricity Bill Into Law
Abia governor Alex Otti signs electricity bill into law. The governor said the integrated power initiative now stands as a model for power infrastructure in Nigeria.
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has signed the Abia State Electricity Bill into law, setting the stage for a new era of energy regulation, investment protection, and power expansion in the state.
Speaking after signing the bill into law on Monday in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Mr Otti said the legislation, which emanated from the Executive, received swift but thorough passage by the Abia House of Assembly.
“This law will ensure that we protect the investments made by Aba Power while granting the government the latitude to regulate.
“It is a document that will stand the test of time, protecting existing and prospective investors in the energy sector,” he said.
The governor said the bill benefited from the expertise of 15 international power experts from the United States, Canada, Southeast Asia, and Europe, who contributed pro bono.
He added that the state engaged Banwo & Ighodalo, a top-tier Nigerian law firm, to refine the legal framework of the bill before it was signed into law.
According to him, Abia has a unique electricity framework, with a ring-fenced power system that covers Aba South, Aba North, Osisioma,Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, IsialaNgwa South and Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Areas (LGAs).
He said the state has Aba Power Ltd., an independent integrated power initiative, covering generation, transmission, and distribution, which had been in development for two decades.
The governor said the integrated power initiative now stands as a model for power infrastructure in Nigeria.
Mr Otti said with the law in place, the government had started making efforts to integrate the remaining eight LGAs of Abia into a new Umuahia Ring-Fence, ensuring stable electricity across the state.
He said the legislation prioritises renewable energy solutions, positioning Abia as a leader in sustainable power initiatives.
Mr Otti disclosed that discussions were underway with Geometric Power, the parent company of Aba Power Ltd., to expand electricity distribution beyond Aba.
He added that plans were underway to establish the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) to ensure that the sector remains efficient and investor-friendly.
Mr Otti commended the 8th Abia State House of Assembly for its diligence and expertise in reviewing and passing the bill.
He said the law had positioned the state as a choice destination for private investment in power generation, ensuring a more stable and efficient electricity supply for businesses and residents.
Mr Otti also hinted at the potential for Abia to supply electricity to other Southeastern states, generating additional revenue for the state.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, said that power plays a vital role in the achievement of development strides in the state.
Mr Emeruwa said:” We understand the rebuilding agenda of the present administration that is why we are working hand in glove with the Executive arm of the government.”
Also, the commissioner for power and public utility, Ikechukwu Monday, said the law would be aimed at creating a robust and reliable power market in the state.
Mr Monday said the law, which aligns with the Electricity Act 2023, would enable Abia to establish its own regulatory framework and attract investment in the power sector.
He described the legislation as a product of extensive collaboration with global stakeholders and experts, tailored to the unique electricity ecosystem of Abia.
“Notably, Abia is one of the few states in Nigeria with a ring-fenced power zone covering nine local government areas, allowing for off-grid operations.
“Additionally, the state hosts two distribution companies: Aba Power Ltd. and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company,” he said.
He noted that the law had been designed to promote local participation and manpower development in the power sector.

Alex Otti
“Abia people are highly skilled, and this law ensures that we build the capacity needed to support not just the state’s power industry but also contribute to the global energy workforce,” he said.
He added that the law addresses critical issues such as vandalism, energy theft, and investment security, which have long hindered power sector growth.
Mr Monday also said that it makes clear provisions for investor protection, as the government hopes to create a more attractive business environment for local and foreign stakeholders.
He said the legislation incorporates gender mainstreaming, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in Abia’s power sector in line with global best practices.
Mr Monday said that ASERA would oversee the implementation of the new electricity market framework and the process of setting up the agency would be completed within the next six to twelve months.
“This authority will be responsible for driving the development of Abia’s electricity market, ensuring compliance with regulations, and facilitating investment in the sector,” he added.
Economy
PRP Demands Direct Federal Allocation to Local Governments

PRP Demands Direct Federal Allocation to Local Governments
PRP demands direct federal allocation to local governments. The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has raised concerns over reported attempts by state governors to lobby the President against the direct disbursement of federal allocations to Local Government Authorities (LGAs).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, reaffirmed PRP’s commitment to fiscal autonomy for LGAs, as upheld by the Nigerian Constitution and reinforced by the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on July 11, 2024.
“It is disheartening that despite the clear legal framework ensuring the financial independence of local governments, some state governors are using their influence to undermine this democratic process,” Ishaq stated.
He emphasized that the Supreme Court’s directive for federal allocations to be sent directly to elected local government councils was intended to enhance transparency, accountability, and proper utilization of funds at the grassroots level.
The PRP criticized the practice of channeling funds through joint state-local government accounts, which has led to financial mismanagement by state governments.

PRP
The party warned that any attempt to redirect these allocations back to state control would violate constitutional provisions and weaken local government autonomy.
PRP insisted that LGA funds should be disbursed directly without interference, allowing elected councils to manage their resources efficiently, meet the needs of their constituents, and drive community development.
It also pledged support for local governments against any efforts to use their allocations to service debts not legitimately incurred for their benefit.
Economy
Nigeria Senate Probes Cameroon’s Alleged Annexation Of Nigerian Mangrove Islands

Nigeria Senate Probes Cameroon’s Alleged Annexation Of Nigerian Mangrove Islands
Nigeria senate probes Cameroon’s alleged annexation of Nigerian Mangrove Islands. The Senate has set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the alleged annexation of the country’s mangrove islands and maritime territories by the Republic of Cameroon. The committee is expected to report back with necessary recommendations in the next two months.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate steps to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial waters, including securing over 2,560 oil wells identified within the disputed mangrove islands in Akwa Ibom State.
The Senate leadership has also committed to engaging directly with President Tinubu to explore diplomatic solutions to the crisis.
Lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday, underpinned the need for urgent action to prevent further escalation of what they described as a “provocation by the Republic of Cameroon”.

Senate
Leading the motion under Orders 41 and 51, Senator Aniekan Bassey had raised an alarm over the economic and territorial implications of Cameroon’s encroachment into Nigerian territory.
Senator Bassey said that the affected mangrove islands, located in Efiat, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, were not part of the territories ceded to Cameroon under the 1913 Anglo-German treaties or the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling of October 2002.
Economy
Tension As Another Explosion Rocks Pipeline in Rivers

Tension As Another Explosion Rocks Pipeline in Rivers
A second major pipeline explosion has rocked the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, occurring just hours after a similar incident in Bodo, Gokana LGA.
The latest explosion struck a manifold connecting a federal pipeline in the Okwawriwa area on Tuesday morning, sending massive flames into the sky and raising fresh concerns about the safety of oil facilities in the region.

Another Explosion Rocks Pipeline
Another Explosion Rocks Pipeline in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State.
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