Abia Assembly expresses concern as six days blackout hits Aba

Abia State House of Assembly has expressed concern over the total blackout that hit the local government areas under the Aba Power Limited in Abia State.

The power outage, which the power provider blamed on gas supply challenge, affected the manufacturing sector and households in Aba city, as well as some local government areas of the state being served by Aba Power Limited.

In view of the situation, the Chairman of the Abia State House of Assembly committee on power and public utilities, Aaron Uzodike, and a member of the committee, Stephen Ucheonye, stormed the headquarters of Aba Power Limited in Aba to get explanation on the city remained in darkness.

The lawmakers said they were deeply worried by the impact of the power outage on residents, businesses and artisans.

They said the visit was in line with their commitment to obtain first-hand information on the factors responsible for the current electricity situation in parts of the state.

Receiving the Abia State House of Assembly members, Chairman of Aba Power Ltd, Professor Barth Nnaji, and members of the company’s management blamed the power supply crises on the inability of a gas supplying firm to supply gas to the Aba Power limited, following the damage to the switchgear and starter motor used in the company’s operations.

Nnaji who begged the power consumers in Aba for understanding, lamented the situation.

He assured that resumption of gas supply will restore power in Aba.

Responding to Nnaji’s explanation, the Chairman, Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Power and Public Utilities, Aaron Uzodike, said the lawmakers would monitor the situation to ensure that power is restored.

He made it clear that industries cannot operate optimally, businesses cannot expand, and artisans cannot thrive in an environment characterised by persistent electricity challenges.