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Uzodimma described the project as the “liberation of Imo people from epileptic electricity supply.”
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The governor said the project marked a decisive shift from a generator-dependent economy to a productive, power-backed system capable of driving industrial growth, creating jobs, and improving the ease of doing business across the state.
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Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Owerri, Uzodimma thanked Almighty God for the success of the project and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for signing the Electricity Act of 2023, which empowers states to actively participate in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
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According to him, the Act—alongside the Federal Government’s approval for the transfer of the abandoned Egbema Power Plant to Imo State—laid the foundation for the Light Up Imo initiative.
“For too long, the rhythm of our daily lives and the heartbeat of our economy have been dictated by the noise of petrol and diesel generators.”
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“Today, that bondage is broken. The story has changed. We are moving from darkness to light, from dependence to freedom”, he said.
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He described the commissioning as a landmark achievement coinciding with Imo State’s 50th anniversary, stressing that reliable electricity remains the backbone of sustainable development.
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The governor disclosed that the project comprises a 15-kilometre 33KV transmission line from Egbu to New Owerri, supported by a 45-kilometre distribution network that will immediately deliver stable electricity to residential and commercial areas. The project is being executed by Orashi Electricity Company Limited, the state’s licensed electricity distribution company.
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Uzodimma said the initiative aligns with his administration’s long-term vision to build a trillion-dollar Imo economy within the next 25 years, noting that stable power would significantly reduce business costs and attract fresh investments.
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“Electricity is the oxygen of industrialisation,” he said. “Without reliable power, growth will always stagnate.”
He added that over 65,000 youths trained under the ScaleUp Imo Programme and more than 25,000 artisans and entrepreneurs would now operate with reduced energy costs and minimal disruption.
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The governor further revealed that the Orashi Power Project is integrated into the Orashi Special Energy Free Zone, with plans to harness the state’s natural gas resources to ensure a sustainable and locally sourced power supply.
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Uzodimma assured residents that the project would enhance healthcare delivery, strengthen education through digital learning, boost hospitality services, preserve agricultural produce via cold storage facilities, and empower small and medium-scale businesses.
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He announced that work had already commenced on subsequent phases aimed at delivering uninterrupted 24-hour electricity to all 27 local government areas of the state. He also warned against vandalism of power infrastructure and urged residents to pay electricity bills promptly to ensure sustainability.
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Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, described the project as clear evidence of tangible progress in Nigeria’s electricity sector reforms and praised the Imo State Government for its bold investment in power infrastructure.
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“These facilities are not just cables and steel,” Adelabu said. “They represent power for businesses, energy for institutions, and opportunities for industries. They translate into jobs, growth, and prosperity for the people.”
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The Minister commended Uzodimma’s leadership, describing Imo State as a front-runner in implementing the Electricity Act of 2023 through the establishment of the Imo State Electricity Market and Orashi Electricity Company Limited.
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He noted that decades of centralised control under ECN, NEPA, and PHCN failed to meet Nigeria’s electricity needs, stressing that decentralisation was necessary to deliver power to grassroots communities.
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Adelabu disclosed that power sector reforms have attracted over $2 billion in private investment and increased sector revenue from ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦2.3 trillion, adding that the Federal Government has also approved a National Integrated Electricity Policy—the first comprehensive policy in over 24 years.
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He urged other states to study Imo State’s model and leverage the Electricity Act to drive sustainable electricity development nationwide.
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