Celebration as Rivers Community Gets Electricity After Decades

There was widespread jubilation in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State as residents celebrated the restoration of electricity after more than a decade in darkness.
The power supply is being provided by Aba Power, Nigeria’s newest electricity distribution company (DisCo), headquartered in Aba, Abia State.
On Saturday, residents gathered in large numbers to express their excitement over what many described as the first experience of stable and reliable electricity in years.
For communities that had endured prolonged outages, the development marked a turning point in their social and economic lives.
The Chairman of Etche LGA, Hon. Chima Njoku, expressed profound joy at the development, describing it as a fulfilment of a long-standing promise to his people.
“My joy knows no bounds as my people now have access to constant, quality, and affordable electricity for the first time in many years,” Njoku said.
He made the statement when a large delegation of residents visited his office to show appreciation for his efforts in facilitating the reconnection.
Drawing a biblical parallel, Njoku added:
“I feel like Simeon, the godly old man in the Bible who sang Nunc Dimittis after living to see the infant Jesus dedicated in the temple.
He witnessed it with his own eyes, and today, I have witnessed the restoration of light to my people.”
For over a decade, many communities in the LGA had reportedly been without electricity, a situation that crippled small businesses, healthcare delivery, and other socio-economic activities.
During his electioneering campaign, Njoku had pledged to resolve the perennial electricity crisis in the area if elected.
According to residents, he has now fulfilled that promise.
Mrs. Obi, a local fish farmer, described the council chairman as an exceptional public servant.
She disclosed that Njoku personally facilitated the purchase of several distribution transformers for various communities to ensure that no area was excluded when power was restored.
She further revealed that the chairman took the initiative to approach Aba Power directly, citing the company’s reputation for quality service delivery, and requested that the LGA be connected to its distribution network.
Confirming the development, Mr. Edise Ekong, Senior Brand and Communication Manager of Aba Power, told journalists that it was indeed Chief Njoku who initiated discussions for power supply to the area.
“We were initially sceptical because the LGA falls within the jurisdiction of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC),” “However, following his persistent engagement, we advised him to liaise with PHEDC while we opened discussions with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Eventually, all relevant parties reached an agreement allowing us to supply power to the communities.” Ekong explained.
Ekong expressed satisfaction with the positive feedback from residents, noting that both the quality of supply and the tariff structure had been well received.
“It has been a week now without a single blink of electricity in these communities,” “As long as there is adequate gas supply, customers will continue to enjoy uninterrupted power, except in cases of unforeseen local incidents such as accidents involving utility poles or acts of vandalism.”he said.
He also disclosed that several state governments, communities, and major manufacturing firms outside the nine of the seventeen local government areas that constitute the Aba Ring-Fenced Area are currently in discussions with Aba Power to secure electricity supply. Aba Power is Nigeria’s 12th licensed DisCo.
“We will make the details public at the appropriate time,” Ekong added.
For the people of Etche LGA, however, the immediate concern is not future expansion but the present reality: after years of darkness, their homes, streets, and businesses are illuminated once again.