Reps committee applauds Gov Otti’s development strides in Abia

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy have given Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, a pat on the back over his government’s infrastructural achievements in Aba, the state’s industrial-cum-commercial hub.

The House of Representatives Renewable Energy Committee made the commendation when its members paid a courtesy visit to the governor at his Aba country home over the weekend to invite the Abia State government to the first National Legislative Summit on Renewable Energy, slated to hold in Lagos between 5 and 7 May this year.

Addressing the governor, chairman of the committee and member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, stated that upon arrival in Aba, his team observed that the commercial town had tremendously changed and was bustling on account of constant electricity supply, tarred roads, and a clean environment.

“Your Excellency, though I am not here as a Labour Party House of Representatives member, or Leader of the party’s caucus in the House, I am leading my colleagues in the Renewable Energy Committee in the House to pay you this courtesy visit, but I want to place on record that our members noted with gladness on arrival, how this nation’s popular industrial city of Aba is bustling with infrastructure which hitherto was not there before your administration came on board.

“We noted the electricity supply, tarred road, and that Aba has been transformed into a clean city away from its sad narrative of being an urban slum,” Ogene stated.

Hon. Ogene, however, told the governor that the purpose of his committee’s visit was to extend an invitation to the state government to attend the National Assembly’s first Legislative Summit on Renewable Energy.

He told the governor that one of the priorities of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was finding a solution to the nation’s electricity supply challenges.

Hon. Ogene also told Gov Otti that Speaker Abbas recognises his (Otti’s) commitment and contributions toward national development, so he holds him in high esteem.

Ogene said that the National Assembly prioritises developing renewable energy because of its potential to solve the nation’s electricity supply challenges and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

“Renewable energy is an emerging sector in our nation, and government is intentionally giving the sector the needed attention as a strategy to address the nation’s electricity power supply challenges and also taking decisive steps away from dependency on fossil fuels.

“The enormous power challenges in our nation cannot be overemphasised, hence the attention being paid to this new pathway as a viable alternative,” Ogene stated further.

He stated that the 10th House of Representatives leadership under Speaker Tajudeen established the Committee on Renewable Energy to spearhead policies, track progress, and promote development that attracts investment and sustains renewable energy technology in Nigeria.

“This strategic approach aims to popularise the new technology and encourage Nigerians to adopt renewable energy solutions, thereby strengthening national energy options and security.

“The House has also taken a significant step towards promoting sustainability by recently adopting a resolution that makes it mandatory for government ministries, agencies, departments, and institutions to transition to renewable energy sources for their power needs,” Ogene stated further.

The lawmaker said that in order to ensure that renewable energy is properly harnessed to make the desired impact on the nation’s development and growth, the committee, in conjunction with the office of the Speaker of the House, has scheduled a National Legislative Summit between 5 and 7 May 2025 to cast more light on the legislative and regulatory gaps in the sector, with the aim of fostering a more conducive environment for investment and better efficiency in the sector.

He said specifically that the summit aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote dialogue among legislators, experts, and stakeholders on critical legislative priorities, regulatory frameworks, and global best practices to accelerate renewable energy adoption in Nigeria.

“It will also strengthen legislative collaboration and establish a coordinated platform for federal and state lawmakers to harmonise policies, address regulatory bottlenecks, and align efforts in advancing Nigeria’s renewable energy transition. And as well, develop an action-oriented roadmap that will produce a clear, time-bound legislative action plan with prioritised reforms, investment incentives, and accountability mechanisms to drive renewable energy growth and grid modernisation,” Ogene said further.

Continuing, Ogene further told Governor Otti, “So, you can see, Your Excellency, that we have long folded our sleeves and gone to work on this important national assignment.

“We are also pleased to report that key stakeholders from Nigeria and abroad have confirmed their attendance. The Ghana parliament, led by their Speaker, has confirmed their participation, along with those of South Africa and Gambia. Furthermore, we have secured partnerships with prominent global organisations, including the UNDP, GIZ, and EU, to ensure the summit’s success.”

Also, in a brief remark, Deputy Chairman of the Renewable Energy Committee, Hon. Ilyasu Abubakar, commended Gov Otti, stating that when he went into the town to pray in the mosque upon their arrival, he noticed that the city was glittering with so much infrastructure, including tarred roads, electricity, and a clean environment.

Hon. Abubakar also said that those he interacted with, both in the mosque and on the streets, testified that the present government in the state was performing; that the government was transforming the state, unlike past administrations.

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In his speech, Gov Otti stated that his government prioritised infrastructural development, especially electricity, roads, and environmental sanitation, because he knew that was what the people needed to boost their innate resourceful potential, especially in the area of industry.

He praised the members of the committee and assured them that his government would partner with the House of Representatives in the task of solving the nation’s electricity supply challenges.

Stating that Aba is currently enjoying between 23 and 24 hours of electricity supply daily as a result of his government’s partnership with a private power generation and distribution company, Geometric, which he said is generating about 80 megawatts of electricity, Gov Otti disclosed that his government has again begun plans to extend the electricity supply to Umuahia, the state capital.

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