The Abia State has taken a significant step in boosting ongoing reforms in the power sector by releasing a final draft of the state’s mini-grid regulation.
According to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, “This move is aimed at supporting the expansion of reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity access across underserved and unserved communities in the state my”
Speaking on Monday after the weekly executive council meeting chaired by the Governor, emphasized that “This initiative aligns with the broader vision of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, to enhance rural electrification through private sector participation and enabling regulatory certainty for mini-grid development.”
The draft regulation outlines a comprehensive legal, technical, and commercial framework for mini-grid operations, which is a vital step towards creating a transparent and enabling environment for decentralized energy systems in the state.
“When fully operational, this initiative is expected to benefit the modern part of the state, particularly which appears in the South, although it will be implemented statewide,” Kanu said.
The Commissioner further highlighted that this initiative will not downplay the essence of providing electricity access to other parts of the state.
In addition to the mini-grid regulation, the state government has announced several other key initiatives.
A 10-man Abia Advisory Council on Electricity will be inaugurated on July 24, 2025, to render professional advice to the Governor on power and electricity issues.
This council forms one of the strategic steps taken by the state government to improve the power sector.
Moreover, the Okwuiyi Water Scheme project, located in Isiseke, Ibeku, Umuahia, is set to be commissioned on July 23, in line with the Governor’s promise to provide potable water for every household in the state.
The state government has also demonstrated its commitment to ensuring regular power supply by donating a 1,000 kVA transformer to Niger Street Okwulehie/CPS all in Umuahia.
This donation is meant to serve residents in that part of Umuahia and is in fulfillment of the state government’s initiative to ensure regular power supply for Abians across the state.
Furthermore, the Abia Soccer Fest has kicked off, with community play-offs in various local government areas of the state.
The chairman of the local organizing committee, Idejuonu Udeagbada, assured that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure a heat-free competition across the state.
Other notable announcements include the scheduling of the Abia Techrise Cohort 2 CBT exams for July 25, 2025, with all successful applicants receiving updates about the exam before that date.
The state government has also made strides in agricultural initiatives, inaugurating an Agricultural Intervention Committee on July 11, 2025, to coordinate agricultural initiatives across the 17 local government areas.
“This initiative focuses on increased food production, farmer support, training, and sustainable rural livelihoods, complementing the state government’s efforts on food security,” Kanu explained.
In a major move to boost the ease of doing business initiative in the state, the state successfully hosted the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council’s stakeholders town hall meeting last week.
The Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council praised the state government for making Abia State one of the most improved states on the ease of doing business and governance index.
The Honorable Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities weighed in, saying, “We are creating a regulation that will encourage private investors to come in and build mini-grids to make sure that electricity access gets to our people.”
