Alex Otti has commissioned an upgraded 5MVA power station at Abia State University, increasing its capacity from 2.5MVA to improve the electricity supply within the institution.
The commissioning took place on Friday, March 27, in Uturu, as part of activities marking the university’s combined 30th to 32nd convocation ceremony.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
Beyond the power facility, the governor also commissioned three retrofitted hostels, Blocks A, B, and C, and performed the foundation-laying ceremony for new 5,000-bed capacity male and female hostels, as well as new Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Law buildings.
He also flagged off a 1.8km internal road project within the campus.
The governor emphasised that the projects reflect his administration’s commitment to solving critical infrastructure challenges in the state’s education sector.
He described the upgraded power station as the fulfilment of a key promise to the university community, noting that efforts were underway to ensure a stable and sustainable electricity supply.
Otti also reiterated his preference for consolidating the university’s campuses in Uturu to improve coordination and resource utilisation.
In their remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo, commended the governor’s interventions, noting that they would address accommodation challenges and boost the institution’s capacity. Similarly, the Students’ Union Government President, Comrade Emmanuel Ugwuanyi, expressed appreciation for the administration’s efforts to improve student welfare.
The newly commissioned and ongoing projects are expected to significantly improve infrastructure and learning conditions at ABSU.
The retrofitted hostels aim to provide better accommodation for students, while the planned 10,000-bed hostel expansion is designed to ease longstanding housing shortages.
The new faculties and internal road project are also expected to enhance academic delivery and improve mobility within the campus.
Otti noted that he had directed a comprehensive upgrade of facilities across the institution and expressed satisfaction with the pace of progress.
He further revealed plans for a dedicated power line with an estimated capacity of 15 megawatts, which would not only serve the university but also benefit Uturu and surrounding communities.
The commissioning of the upgraded power plant aligns with the governor’s broader push to industrialise Abia State through infrastructure development.
These projects are part of the broader Greater Aba Master Plan, a 25-year development blueprint aimed at transforming the commercial city into a major economic hub.