On Thursday, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma signed two executive bills into law. These bills include one regarding electricity and another aimed at amending Imo State Polytechnic Law No. 15 of 2012. The latter is intended to facilitate the merger of campuses of the polytechnic.
Emphasizing the necessity of signing the bills into law, the governor highlighted the importance of positioning Imo State towards sustainable development.
He expressed concern over the impact of poor electricity generation and distribution on the development indicators in Imo State, stressing the need for immediate action.
Governor Uzodimma mentioned that he had engaged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in discussions to allow the Imo State government to assume control of the Egbema Power Plant. This project, originally initiated by the federal government under the Niger Delta Power Holding Company in 2006 but later abandoned, holds promise for addressing the state’s electricity challenges.
In response to his request, the President has granted permission for the takeover of the Egbema Power Plant, with plans for rehabilitation to utilize its facilities in resolving the state’s electricity issues aligning with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He shared that following a comprehensive assessment, including visits to the plant site and consultations with experts and technical partners, plans are underway for the plant’s restoration, a project estimated to involve significant costs.
Optimistic about the future, Governor Uzodimma believes that within a year, considerable improvements in power generation, supply, and consumption will be evident across Imo State.
Regarding the bill amending the Imo State Polytechnic Law, the governor noted that the state shoulders substantial financial burdens as the host of a significant number of higher institutions in the country.
Highlighting the benefits of the Imo State Polytechnic Amendment Bill, which switches from a multi-campus to a mono-campus system, the governor emphasized the positive impacts on students, sponsors, and government, particularly in ensuring the safety of students and educators.
Upon presenting the bills for approval, Speaker Chike Olemgbe affirmed that they had undergone rigorous scrutiny by the Imo State House of Assembly. He mentioned that “the electricity distribution and transmission bill is designed to enhance power supply and improve distribution to our communities.”