By Ebere Uzoukwa, PhD

Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, on Wednesday, February 4, used the platform of the South East Vision 2050 Regional Stakeholders Forum in Enugu to advance a clear and persuasive development thesis that places reliable electricity at the centre of economic revival in the South East.

Far beyond a routine policy speech, the Abia State governor articulated a practical roadmap for re-industrialisation, anchored on decentralised power generation, with Geometric Power’s Aba Independent Power Project (AIPP) presented as a viable regional anchor. His message to political leaders, investors, and development partners was unambiguous hence energy remains the foundation upon which sustainable industrial growth, job creation, and shared prosperity must be built.

At the heart of Governor Otti’s argument lies the Aba experience. Once emblematic of industrial decline caused by years of infrastructural neglect and erratic power supply, Aba has in recent years witnessed a remarkable economic turnaround, largely driven by the steady and predictable electricity supplied by Geometric Power Limited. Operating within a ring fenced electricity corridor that is largely insulated from the instability of the national grid, the commercial city today enjoys power reliability that surpasses the national average. This stability has catalysed the reopening of many previously dormant businesses, encouraged the return of entrepreneurs who had relocated in frustration, restored investor confidence, and reignited the real estate market, as businesses and households reclaim lost economic ground.

Governor Otti maintained that Aba’s resurgence is not an isolated success story, but a scalable development model for the entire South East. He cautioned against fragmented, state-by-state power projects that consume enormous resources and take decades to mature. Instead, he proposed a collaborative regional approach that builds on existing infrastructure. One of his most far-reaching suggestions was the expansion of Geometric Power’s capacity, through the installation of additional turbines, enabling surplus electricity generated in Aba to be wheeled efficiently to other states in the region. Such a strategy, he argued, would significantly shorten the transition from energy investment to industrial output, while eliminating costly duplication of effort.

Within Abia State, the governor disclosed concrete steps already underway to deepen energy sufficiency. Central to this effort is the plan to secure the Umuahia ring fenced electricity corridor, by ploughing back excess megawatts generated by Geometric Power into other parts of the state, rather than exporting them to the national grid. This approach, he explained, is designed to stimulate new industrial clusters, expand economic activity beyond Aba, and firmly entrench Abia’s determination to take control of its energy destiny. The establishment of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA), alongside the acquisition of key electricity distribution assets, further underscores a comprehensive and forward-looking reform of the state’s electricity value chain.

Beyond physical infrastructure, Governor Otti emphasised that sustainable, energy-driven industrialisation requires a sound funding architecture, supported by multiple investment streams. He called on governments to continue de-risking the sector through policy clarity, regulatory stability, and strategic public investments, while urging private sector players to bring capital, technical competence, and long-term commitment. According to him, the energy sector is not suited for speculative, short-term profiteering, but for investors who understand that, under stable governance frameworks, patient capital delivers enduring returns and long-term asset appreciation.

A critical pillar of Otti’s reform agenda is the enforcement of a transparent and consumer-friendly metering framework. He strongly condemned estimated billing, describing it as exploitative and corrosive to trust in the electricity market. In his view, compulsory metering, funded by service providers, must form the backbone of any credible regional energy strategy. Fair pricing, accurate measurement, and consistent service delivery, he argued, are inseparable pillars of a sustainable electricity ecosystem.

Positioning Abia as a case study, Governor Otti linked his administration’s development philosophy to the visionary regional approach of the late Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara, whose leadership laid the foundation for agricultural and industrial transformation in the old Eastern Region. He noted that the revival of Aba, and the broader infrastructural renewal across Abia, are products of deliberate planning, disciplined execution, and a conscious effort to rekindle the cooperative development spirit that once defined the South East.

The governor also acknowledged the collective progress being made by South East governors, particularly in the areas of security and infrastructure development. He observed that improved peace and stability across many communities have created a more conducive environment for investment and enterprise. Reiterating his belief in regional cooperation, Governor Otti stressed that the South East stands to achieve far greater results through collaboration and shared purpose than through unhealthy competition, noting that while states may advance at different speeds, the region moves farther when it moves together.

Commending Vice President Kashim Shettima for his commitment to the South East Vision 2050 agenda, Governor Otti expressed confidence that the South East Development Commission (SEDC), working closely with state governments and the private sector, can become a powerful vehicle for coordinated regional development. He argued that a regional energy master plan, anchored on proven platforms such as Geometric Power, could serve as the catalyst for long-awaited industrial rebirth in the zone.

In summary, Governor Otti’s intervention was a clear call to action to move from rhetoric to results, by embracing energy-led industrial policy. By leveraging the demonstrated success of Geometric Power in Aba, fostering regional cooperation, and aligning investment with effective regulation, the South East can finally break free from chronic energy shortages, reposition its economy, and reclaim its place as a competitive industrial hub within Nigeria and beyond.

Dr Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs.