Abia State Governor Alex Otti has unveiled plans to acquire the Umuahia distribution network from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), a strategic move aimed at achieving uninterrupted power supply across all 17 local government areas (LGAs) in the state. The announcement, made during a ceremony hosted by Geometric Power in Aba on Monday, signals a major push to expand electricity access beyond the nine LGAs currently served by Geometric’s infrastructure.
Governor Otti revealed that the state government has completed due diligence and will formally present an offer to EEDC to take over the Umuahia ring-fenced area. “Once finalized, this acquisition will allow us to redirect surplus electricity from Geometric’s grid to Umuahia and surrounding regions,” Otti stated. Geometric Power, which operates 11 substations in Abia, currently generates over 80 megawatts (MW) of excess power—a resource Otti plans to leverage under Nigeria’s deregulated energy sector, enabling direct negotiations with providers.
The governor highlighted the role of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in designating Aba as a ring-fenced power zone during his tenure, a decision that paved the way for Geometric’s $800 million Aba Integrated Power Project. Obasanjo, who commissioned Geometric’s new Ogbor Hill substation, urged the firm to extend services to the remaining eight LGAs, calling Aba “Nigeria’s industrial heartbeat” deserving of reliable electricity.
Geometric Power CEO Prof. Bart Nnaji credited Otti’s past support as a banking executive for advancing the project, emphasizing its potential to transform Abia into an energy-sufficient model.
The event drew state officials, traditional rulers, and lawmakers. If successful, the EEDC acquisition would mark a watershed in Abia’s quest for full electrification.
