- Lament Outrageous Bills Epileptic Power Supply
A cross section of Imo people have expressed deep concern and disappointment in respect of the statement credited to Gov Uzodinma claiming that there is now 24 hours uninterrupted power supply in the state.
Some of those who reacted to the development including Patrick Okoro on his social media platform said, “saying that there is currently 24 hour electricity in Imo is entirely false, adding that even the Imo State Government House that governor and his family does not enjoy 24 hour electricity.
One Chizu Emjinna, an Owerri based businessman said, he was watching the program in his house in Owerri with a generator. He wondered if the governor was talking of Owerri, the state capital where he lives and knows the state of affairs or Owerre-nta in Abia State”.
Vitus Ikechi, who also commented said, “what kind of life is this? Simply because the Abia State governor, Otti has put pressure on him through his performance.
Uzodinma, just decided to say something, no matter how resentful or funny it sounds”. On his part, a senatorial candidate media aide named Uche Ezekwe, expressed disappointment that a state governor could condescend to the level of telling lies on national television in a place like Lagos, among other reactions.
An All Progressive Congress stalwart who also aired his views on the development said, “In as much as Gov Uzodinma, has done well in the area of infrastructure, it was surprising to hear him saying that Imolites now enjoy 24 hours uninterrupted power supply. Most of us here in Owerri have stayed without electricity for several months.
There are lies and concocted falsehoods that are inexplicable. Hence, they should be outrightly avoided”.
Speaking in the same vein, one Alvan Chinaka, who also expressed reservation over the governor’s claim said, “though the project is being test run in some parts of Owerri Municipality, it is entirely wrong to say that it has wiped away the tears of Imo people whose businesses and social life have negatively been affected by constant power outage that has become a norm rather than an exception”.
Chinaka, in a write up he signed and made available to the press, stated that, “Recently, Gov Hope Uzodinma made a statement that has now gone viral about 24-hour electricity in Imo State. After the speech, the reactions from people were swift, emotional, and in many cases, understandable.
For instance, the residents of Ogbaku, Amakohia, Ekemegbuoha, and several other communities were genuinely taken aback and rightfully so”.
It is very insulting and annoying to be told that your state enjoys 24-hours electricity supply when, in actual fact, you have not enjoyed electricity consistently in your neighborhood for several weeks and months”.
However, before we allow political emotion to completely override factual context, let us pause and examine what is actually on the ground.
Governor Uzodimma’s administration has, through the Orashi Power Distribution Company, operating from its station situated near Ahiajoku in New Owerri, recorded a measurable milestone.
Certain areas, specifically Protea Hotel axis, Government House, Udenwa Estate, and a number of estates within the New Owerri corridor, are currently receiving stable, 24-hour electricity supply under this arrangement”.
“It is equally important to note that the project is currently in its first phase. It is not yet a blanket solution for the entire state.
It is a pilot, a proof of concept, and like every responsible infrastructure rollout, it begins at a point before it expands to a radius.
For me, here is where I believe the Governor’s communication could have been more precise, and I say this respectfully – with all due respect.
Imo State operates under two distinct electricity distribution frameworks — the well-known EEDC (Enugu Electricity Distribution Company) , which most residents are accustomed to, and the emerging Orashi Power Distribution network, which is the Governor’s intervention project.
These are not the same system, they do not serve the same areas, and they cannot be evaluated by the same standard, at least not yet.
When the Governor spoke of 24-hour electricity, he was referencing the Orashi network and its current coverage.
When the man in Amakohia or the woman in Ekemegbuoha responded with justified frustration, they were speaking from their honest experience under the EEDC grid which, we all know, remains as unpredictable as ever.
What was missing was context, and context, in public communication, is everything.
Credit must be given where it is due. Introducing an independent power distribution infrastructure in a Nigerian state is no small feat. If the Orashi project, currently serving select estates in New Owerri and other places, is successfully scaled, through its subsequent phases to cover Owerri municipal and eventually the broader state, it would represent a genuinely transformational legacy in Imo’s infrastructure history.
But aspiration must not be dressed as present reality for the majority.
The thousands of Imo residents still enduring erratic power supply deserve acknowledgment, not silence. Their frustration is not opposition politics, it is the language of unmet need and Orashi Power Distribution, hopefully will solve it.
Governor Uzodimma is not entirely wrong. The 24-hour electricity is real, for now, for some, in specific locations.
The goal must be to extend that reality to every ward, every community, and every household across Imo State”.
