The Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) has officially unveiled City Global Services as the contractor handling the long-awaited electricity restoration project in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The unveiling ceremony took place on Saturday at the palace of His Royal Highness, Eze Chinyere Dike, in Umuokwor, where the General Manager of ASOPADEC, Venerable Joshua Onyeike, confirmed that the project received full approval from the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti.
Onyeike, who emphasized that the project was aimed at restoring power to Ukwa West in no distant time, stated that the years of blackout were primarily caused by rampant vandalism and theft of electrical infrastructure, especially transformers and power cables. He expressed concern over the increasing rate of youth involvement in criminal activities that undermine development, and urged local leaders to take proactive steps in protecting public utilities.
The ASOPADEC GM also warned that communities that fail to provide a secure and enabling environment for the contractor risk being excluded from the project.
Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of City Global Services, Engr. Daniel Chuks Iroeche, assured stakeholders of swift execution of the project. He revealed that the scope of work covers 31 communities, including 16 with completely vandalised transformers. He pledged to install new transformers in areas lacking them and replace damaged cables and wires.
He also said that all sub-stations will be secured, and the company would prioritise local manpower and materials.
The Contractor urged residents to cooperate by paying electricity bills promptly to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
On behalf of the traditional rulers, HRH Eze Chinyere Dike, Chairman of the Ukwa West Traditional Rulers Council and the traditional ruler of Isi Mmanu Autonomous Community, commended Governor Otti for taking concrete steps towards fulfilling the promise he made to the people of Ukwa West during his last visit. He also lauded ASOPADEC for its ongoing developmental interventions across Ukwa West.
