- Ebonyi Power Commissioner Peter Oga-Ali denies misappropriation claims, confirming the proper use of funds for the Afikpo power project.
- Governor Francis Nwifuru announces the installation of eight new transformers and a new sub-station in Afikpo, ending a 13-year power outage.
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Power and Energy, Peter Oga-Ali, has firmly denied recent claims of financial misappropriation regarding the power restoration project in Afikpo. Oga-Ali’s statement comes amidst allegations that funds allocated for the project were being diverted.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State recently announced that eight new transformers have been successfully installed in Afikpo. This addresses a significant power outage that has plagued the area for 13 years. After a recent inspection of the project, Oga-Ali reaffirmed the state’s commitment to restoring power to the affected communities.
Oga-Ali explained that the state government allocated ₦208 million for the project, which involved installing eight new transformers and refurbishing five old ones. Due to tax deductions, the final amount available for the project was ₦194 million. This funding has been used to enhance power infrastructure in the Enohia Nkalu, Amaozara, and Ozizza communities.
In addition to the transformer installations, a new substation in Amasiri has been completed to support a consistent power supply. The commissioner also addressed ongoing challenges caused by the construction of the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway, which has necessitated the relocation of high-voltage lines between Nkalagu and Ntezi. Oga-Ali assured us that power would be fully restored to the area once these poles were repositioned.
Oga-Ali responded to recent social media claims accusing him and the ministry of diverting project funds. He emphasized that these allegations are false and misleading. He clarified that the total funds for the project were appropriately allocated and utilised as intended. The completion of the project was officially communicated to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) on May 23, 2024, and a joint inspection team has reviewed the work.
The commissioner urged the public to disregard the baseless rumours and remain patient as the remaining technical issues are resolved. He assured that the state government, under Governor Nwifuru’s direction, is fully committed to restoring a stable power supply to Afikpo. Oga-Ali expressed his gratitude to the engineers who have diligently worked on the project and reassured the community of the administration’s ongoing efforts to address any remaining challenges.