The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has commissioned a rehabilitated power line project that has restored electricity to Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, ending 23 years of blackout in the area.
The project, which reconnects Bende, Uzuakoli, and Ozuitem to the national grid, is expected to boost economic activities by reviving small-scale businesses, cottage industries, and factories across the communities.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Bende on Monday, Kalu said the affected towns had depended on generators and solar power since 2002, describing the restoration of grid electricity as a major milestone for the constituency.
“We thank God for this development. Darkness has finally vanished in Bende. For over two decades, it has been either solar or generators. I insisted this project must work, despite the high cost,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker warned against vandalism of the new installations and called on presidents general of autonomous communities, traditional rulers, and youths to collaborate in forming vigilante groups to protect the facilities.
According to him, safeguarding the power infrastructure is critical to sustaining development and improving the quality of life in Bende, Uzuakoli, and Ozuitem.
Kalu recalled that he had earlier commissioned a 1,000 KVA solar-powered electricity project in Bende headquarters to provide power to five communities as part of broader efforts to address energy challenges in the constituency.
The commissioning marks another step in ongoing interventions aimed at accelerating economic growth and social development in the area.
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