Chief Chidiebere J. Okoh, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, has congratulated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on the distribution of 26 electricity transformers and 40,000 solar panels across Bende Federal Constituency, describing the intervention as a practical response to the electricity needs of the people.
Okoh said the commencement of the second phase of the Light Up Bende project, alongside plans to restore the Alayi-Item power grid, demonstrated Kalu’s commitment to addressing challenges that directly affect households, businesses and community life.
Under the Renewed Hope Light Project, the 26 transformers and 40,000 home solar panels are being distributed across the 13 wards of Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, expanding the reach of the electricity intervention beyond conventional grid supply.
The APC chieftain particularly welcomed the signing of a service contract with KELOFs Engineering Limited for the restoration and reticulation of electricity to Alayi, Item and adjoining communities, where residents have reportedly endured years of power disruption following the vandalism of critical infrastructure.
The restoration project includes repairs to the 33-kilovolt power line, replacement of vandalised distribution substation materials and the provision of connection materials, including cables. Kalu has set a three-week target for the restoration work and called on the benefiting communities to cooperate with the contractors.
Chief Okoh said the proposed restoration was especially significant to communities that have lived with prolonged electricity challenges, noting that a return of power would support commercial activities, improve domestic life and ease the burden on residents and small businesses.
He also commended Kalu for responding to concerns raised by stakeholders from Item Clan over the damaged Alayi-Item power grid, which was reportedly vandalised about eight years ago. The intervention followed discussions in which community representatives urged the Deputy Speaker to prioritise restoration of the existing network alongside the distribution of transformers and alternative power sources.
According to Okoh, the decision to pursue both transformer distribution and grid restoration addresses electricity needs through complementary approaches, giving communities the prospect of improved access to power while the wider infrastructure challenges are tackled.
He urged residents of Alayi, Item and neighbouring communities to support the contractors and protect the facilities once restored, stressing that community cooperation would be essential to meeting the three-week target and sustaining the benefits of the project.
The APC chieftain expressed optimism that the combined interventions would strengthen economic activities across Bende and improve access to electricity for residents who have long faced unreliable or unavailable power supply.
He congratulated the Deputy Speaker on the initiative and encouraged him to sustain efforts that translate constituency representation into practical interventions in the lives of the people.
Chief Chidiebere J. Okoh
APC Chieftain
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