Abia Governor Otti To Collaborate With National Assembly To Develop Renewable Energy

FADEYI TOLULOPE AYOBAMI

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has expressed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the National Assembly in advancing renewable energy solutions to address Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges.

Otti made this known when he hosted members of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy at his residence in Aba on Saturday.

The governor emphasized the urgent need to resolve the country’s power crisis and commended the 10th House of Representatives under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for prioritizing renewable energy development.

According to Otti, improving electricity supply is crucial for economic growth, particularly in Aba, a major industrial hub.

He recalled that upon assuming office, his administration swiftly tackled infrastructural decay, focusing on environmental sanitation, road rehabilitation, and electricity supply to enhance the city’s economic potential.

As part of his government’s efforts, Otti disclosed that his administration entered into a partnership with a private electricity distribution company, Geometric Power, to improve power supply in the state.

The government also introduced and passed the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Bill, which he signed into law, to support the initiative.

As a result, Aba and surrounding areas now enjoy up to 24-hour electricity supply, with Geometric providing about 80 megawatts of power.

The governor affirmed Abia State’s willingness to partner with the House Committee on Renewable Energy in hosting the first Legislative Summit on Renewable Energy, scheduled to take place in Lagos from May 5 to 7, 2025.

He stressed that the state would fully participate in the summit, recognizing the importance of collaborative efforts in enhancing energy security and sustainability nationwide.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Victor Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, briefed the governor on the summit’s objectives.

He explained that the event aims to bring together stakeholders, experts, and lawmakers to formulate comprehensive policies for driving renewable energy growth and modernizing Nigeria’s power grid.

Ogene revealed that several key local and international stakeholders have confirmed their participation, including experts from South Africa and Gambia.

The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, along with global organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the European Union (EU), have pledged their support for the summit.

He further noted that Speaker Abbas highly regards Governor Otti’s contributions to Nigeria’s development and shares his vision for expanding the renewable energy sector.

The lawmaker emphasized that the upcoming summit would serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and constructive dialogue among legislators, industry experts, and stakeholders.

Discussions will focus on legislative priorities, regulatory frameworks, and global best practices to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.