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
Pipeline Explosion Rocks Rivers Community

Pipeline Explosion Rocks Rivers Community
Pipeline explosion rocks Rivers community. An explosion has occurred in Bodo Community, Gokana Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State on Tuesday.
A resident of Bodo, reported that the blast took place on an onshore pipeline near the starting point of the Bodo-Bonny road.
He suggested that the explosion was likely an act of sabotage. He noted that it has not yet been linked to recent political tensions in Rivers State.

Explosion
While the connection to political threats remains uncertain, the residents believe that if left unchecked, the incident could embolden others and potentially reignite unrest in the Niger Delta.
Authorities have not commented on the incident.
Economy
UniCal Setup 25 Year Plan Ro Strengthen Workforce, Curriculum

UniCal Setup 25 Year Plan Ro Strengthen Workforce, Curriculum
UniCal setup 25 year plan to strengthen workforce, curriculum. The University of Calabar says it has developed a 25-year plan to strengthen its workforce and curriculum.
Florence Obi, vice-chancellor of the institution, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar during an interaction with the media.
The media interaction is part of activities lined up for the 50th anniversary of the institution and the 37th convocation ceremony.
Ms Obi noted that paucity of funds was a major challenge for any public university, adding that it was the reason for the increase in money paid by students.
She explained that this would enable management to meet the increasing cost of running the institution.
“The federal government pays our personnel costs. They don’t give us money to run the university. In fact, UniCal receives N13 million monthly as subvention which does not cover our electricity bill before solar was introduced.

UniCal Setup 25 Year Plan
The vice-chancellor noted that they could not continue running the institution as an on-campus programme alone and said with 50,000 Open and Distant Learning Programme students, the university would have enough money to maintain facilities.
She appealed to the media to help the institution sell its Open and Distant Learning Programme, noting that the graduates also enjoy the benefit of the on-campus students, such as the one-year National Youth Service Corps.
Ms Obi, the 11th VC of UniCal and the first female to hold the position, was appointed on September 10, 2020, and her tenure will expire in September 2025.
Economy
Government To Spend N1.5bn On Farm Mechanisation Firm In Jigawa

Government To Spend N1.5bn On Farm Mechanisation Firm In Jigawa
Government to spend N1.5bn on farm mechanisation firm in Jigawa. The Jigawa State Executive Council has approved the release of N1,523,508,014.08 for the take-off of the newly established Farm Mechanisation Service Company.
The information commissioner, Sagir Musa, disclosed this to journalists after the weekly executive council meeting on Monday.
He stated that the approval aligns with the state government’s agricultural transformation initiative to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the agricultural value chain.
Mr Musa further explained that the council had also approved an additional N969,084,772.10 to pay customs duty and taxes on mechanised equipment purchased from China.
He revealed that the council had also deliberated on and approved the draft bill for the establishment of the Jigawa State Flood Disaster Trust Fund.

Farm Mechanisation
“The council has directed that the draft bill be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
“This is in line with the Namadi administration’s commitment to tackling floods in Jigawa state through effective and long-term solutions,” the commissioner said.
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