By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says his administration is working hard to achieve energy independence for the Umuahia ring-fenced zone by December 2026.

Otti said this on Friday during the grand finale of the local government-wide inauguration of Abia Arise, a non-partisan organisation, held in Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area (LGA).

He said that the Umuahia ring-fenced area covered the Abia Central and North Senatorial Districts of the state.

He described the establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA) as ?a major step towards liberalising the state?s power sector, attracting private investment, and stabilising electricity supply.

The governor said: ?Communities, like Uzuakoli, Umuahia, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Arochukwu, will soon take charge of their electricity value chains with support from ASERA,? he said.

Otti affirmed his administration?s commitment to rural development, energy independence, and grassroots empowerment, declaring that the best days of Abia still lay ahead.

?Our administration has shown that governance is about service, responding to public concerns and deploying public funds to uplift the people.

?Abians are happy not because of handouts, but because they believe government now consistently makes the right decisions,? he said.

On security and infrastructure preservation, Otti warned against vandalism of public property, especially by scrap metal dealers.

He directed security agencies to clamp down on offenders and hold community leaders accountable for negligence, should vandalism occur in their domains.

He commended the leadership of Abia Arise, describing it as more than a political platform but a non-partisan vehicle for grassroots mobilisation and leadership projection.

He urged the citizens aligned with the group?s ideals to participate actively at the community level.

In a speech, a stakeholder, Dr. Chima Anyaso, described the gathering as a clear confirmation of the present administration?s purposeful leadership, which had rekindled hope among the people.

Anyaso, a former Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), lauded the government?s healthcare initiatives and commitment to robust, quality education.

He declared full support for the government?s rebuilding agenda, and announced his resignation from YPP and formal entry into Abia Arise.

In a speech, the State Coordinator of Abia Arise, Mr. Nkem Okore, described the organisation as a platform for citizens that desired to facilitate purposeful leadership and good governance in Abia.

Okore said that the group was committed to projecting the impact of the Otti-led administration?s people-centred policies and programmes.

In a remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said that the current progress in the state aligned with the governor?s long-term blueprint for prosperity.

?What His Excellency envisioned in 2016 is no longer just a dream but a reality unfolding before our eyes,? Ekeoma said.

In a goodwill message, the Bende LGA Coordinator of the organisation, Mr. Onyedikachi Iroegbu, expressed gratitude to Otti for his transformative leadership.

Iroegbu assured the governor of their steadfast support for his vision to build a new Abia

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the defection of some members of Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress in Bende LGA to Labour Party.

NAN also reports that the governor had earlier inaugurated the renovated Ngwu Uzuakoli Primary Healthcare Center. (NAN)

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