EFFORTS TOWARDS THE RESTORATION OF AFIKPO LIGHT
On August 13, 2024, I Stepped-in and called a physical interactive meeting session with some Youths in Afikpo; addressed the issue of Afikpo Light Restoration with facts and figures and therein gave a firm hope with regards to permanent restoration of Afikpo light.
I Commended H.E. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his positive response and commitment over the Afikpo Light issue since his assumption in office .
I however wish to use this time to appreciate all your concerns and escalation of the lingered pathetic situation we found ourselves in Afikpo with regards to Absence of Public Power supply in Afikpo for over 10 years. I make bold to tell you that the Afikpo light issue is receiving the much needed attention, especially under the present administration of our people-oriented Governor H.E Rt. Hon. Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. Previous administrations did their best, but we should understand that technicalities in getting Electricity Power project is not as easy as doing other Infrastructural projects, hence the delays and bottlenecks. Without sounding rhetorical, let me go straight to the recent efforts made so far and this present government interventions:
1. Recall that our revered Essa Ehugbo Traditional Council led by our beloved great son and Leader, Rt Honourable Idume Igariwey, visited our present Governor Rt. Honourable Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on the 28/01/24 and presented the major concerns of Afikpo, out of which the NO LIGHT IN AFIKPO topped the list, which our dear Governor Rt Honourable Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru without hesitation obliged to tackle among other things as contained in their letter.
Then on the 29/01/24, our ever-listening Governor Rt Honorable Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru graciously approved the sum of N208, 613, 425.00 which I, Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali Pnoble had already articulated as backend problems and solutions to rehabilitation of all the vandalised Electricity Transformer in my Afikpo North East Constituency which I purposefully included the purchase of two new transformers for Unwana Community.
Having received the approval, His Excellency also immediately released the funds for Ministry of Power to handle the rehabilitation of about 15 transformers within Afikpo Urban and with 2 at Unwana Community. I had personally engaged the ministry of power to accelerate the completion of the rehabilitation of the 15 transformers as approved by our dear Governor
Please note that I tagged the rehabilitation of the transformers as backend solutions, considering that the major frontend solution to a permanent light restoration in Afikpo is the completion of the Amasiri 132kv Substation with the associated completion of the high tension tower lines from Mile 50 national grid to tie-in to the Amasiri Substation which is almost completed.
However, some bottlenecks were noticed, and I have officially communicated these to relevant government quarters, which I trust is receiving very positive attention. As earlier stated, executing electricity project is not like executing building or road projects, the sensitivity, the regulatory approvals, the natural stop gaps and other bottlenecks are things that cumulatively form part of the unwanted delays. Even with the funds available, some of the factors requires special and rigorous steps.
The good news as at today is that our young and ever listening Governor, Rt Honourable Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has stepped into the matter and braced all the bottlenecks to conquer them. Our Dear Governor seeing the critical tasks required to tackle the shackles of poor electricity supplies in Ebonyi State have created a dedicated body called RURAL ELECTRIFICATION COMMISSION whose primary responsibility is to solve the problems of rural electricity power problems in the State with a mandate to take Afikpo Light Restoration as the first priority.
The Rural Electrification Commission being headed by a very seasoned Electrical Engineer, Engr. Godwin Nwankwo is poised to deliver without excuse. As I speak they are currently sorting some of the bottlenecks in Abuja at various offices, like Federal Ministry of Power, and Transmission Company of Nigeria. Positive updates are surely underway. I, therefore, sincerely appeal to my good people of Afikpo to exercise more patience over this light issue, as I assure everyone that the permanent restoration of Afikpo light will happen very soon, and I commit to keep being in the front line to push the necessary buttons that will fast track this major expectations of our people.
I am aware of the great sufferings of our people due to this NO LIGHT IN AFIKPO; the hardship it has created for people doing businesses, the negative effects in the performances of our children due to lack of night reading culture and above all, the rural-urban migration, where most people who work in Afikpo now prefers to live outside Afikpo where they enjoy relatively stable public power supply.
In conclusion, I commit here to be giving regular updates on the progress of this journey towards restoration of Afikpo light until the point of its realization. Be rest assured that our dear people-oriented Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru is positively on top of the matter.
Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali (PNOBLE) is a Member representing Afikpo North East Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
