Orashi Project: Securing Imo’s Power Sovereignty
Oluchi Chibuzor
When Hope Uzodimma stood before residents in Owerri to inaugurate the first phase of the Orashi Electricity Project, it was more than the unveiling of a substation. Against the backdrop of Imo State’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the Governor had described the project as a gift to the people and one designed not merely to light homes, but to reset the economic destiny of the state.
For decades, electricity in many parts of Nigeria has been defined by uncertainty, flickers of hope interrupted by long stretches of darkness, businesses powered more by diesel generators than by the national grid.
In Imo, as in other States, this generator-driven economy inflated costs, stifled productivity and drained household incomes. That was why the inauguration of the 15MVA, 33/11KV Injection Substation under the Orashi Electricity Company Limited signalled a deliberate break from that past.
“Power changes everything,” Uzodimma declared. “With the commissioning of the Orashi Electricity Company Limited 15MVA, 33/11KV Injection Substation in Owerri, Imo is not just adding infrastructure, we are securing energy sovereignty.”
Energy sovereignty, a phrase that resonates strongly in today’s Nigeria, speaks to more than megawatts. It implies control, stability and the capacity of a State to determine its economic rhythm without being perpetually hostage to external disruptions.
For Imo, the Orashi Power Project represents the first tangible stride toward that goal. The foundation of this breakthrough lies in the Electricity Act of 2023, signed into law by Bola Tinubu.
The Act decentralised Nigeria’s power sector, granting states the authority to invest directly in electricity generation, transmission and distribution. It marked a structural shift in a sector long dominated by federal oversight.
“If not for this visionary law, we would not have been here today,” Uzodimma said, openly crediting the President for enabling states to take initiative. He also thanked the federal government for approving the transfer of the previously abandoned Ohaji-Egbema power plant to Imo State — a move that strengthens the long-term prospects of the Orashi framework.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, described the Orashi commissioning as evidence that Nigeria’s electricity reforms are working. According to him, decentralisation has already attracted more than $2 billion in private sector investment nationwide since 2023.
“Reliable power supply is not just infrastructure; it is an economic enabler,” Adelabu said. In that simple assertion lies the broader meaning of what Imo is attempting: to convert reform into results.
At the heart of Phase One is a 15-kilometre 33KV transmission line stretching from Egbu to New Owerri, complemented by a 45-kilometre distribution network. Together with the 33/11KV injection substation, these facilities are designed to stabilise electricity supply across the Owerri axis, covering residential neighbourhoods, markets, public institutions and industrial clusters.
For small business owners — welders, tailors, cold-room operators, hairdressers, cybercafé operators and artisans — the implications are immediate. In many cases, monthly generator fuel expenses have historically exceeded staff salaries. The cost of diesel or petrol often dictated whether a shop opened at all.
With improved grid reliability, operating costs are expected to decline. Lower overheads mean higher margins, reinvestment opportunities and potentially, job creation. Uzodimma framed it clearly: the project lowers energy costs, boosts investor confidence and equips small enterprises with the stability they need to thrive.
Beyond the State capital, the vision extends to all 27 local government areas.
A Memorandum of Understanding between Orashi Electricity Company Limited and the Imo State Government commits the integrated power provider to statewide expansion. The ambition is not incremental improvement, but systemic transformation.
Orashi Electricity Company Limited positions itself as more than a distribution company. It is conceived as an integrated provider involved in generation, transmission and distribution — a comprehensive approach that aligns with global best practices in energy management.
Its vision is to emerge as Nigeria’s leading integrated power company, recognised for excellence, innovation and sustainability. Its mission is to revolutionise Nigeria’s energy landscape by delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity solutions.
Technical partnerships underpin this aspiration. The Chief Executive Officer of Madkour Holding, Mustapha Madkour, whose firm serves as a technical partner, described the commissioning of the injection substation as a symbol of cooperation and strategic collaboration in strengthening Imo’s infrastructure backbone.
Infrastructure of this scale demands not only capital but also technical expertise, operational discipline and long-term maintenance planning. By integrating international technical support with local policy direction, Imo is attempting to blend global standards with state-level ownership.
Electricity has a multiplier effect that extends well beyond illumination. It influences industrial output, agricultural processing, healthcare delivery and digital innovation. In hospitals, consistent power ensures uninterrupted medical procedures and cold storage for vaccines. In schools and tertiary institutions, it enhances research capacity and digital learning. In technology hubs, it supports data centres, coding labs and startup ecosystems.
Imo’s broader development initiatives appear aligned with this energy push. The Skill-Up Imo programme, which has reportedly trained 65,000 young people in digital skills, requires stable electricity to sustain momentum. Technology-driven entrepreneurship cannot flourish in darkness.
Similarly, hospitality and conference infrastructure — including the rehabilitated Concorde Hotel and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre — depends heavily on dependable power supply to attract national and international events.
In this sense, Orashi is not an isolated project; it is an enabling platform for other sectors.
Infrastructure projects often falter not because of engineering flaws, but because of inconsistent political commitment. Uzodimma has consistently framed the Light Up Imo initiative as a cornerstone of his administration’s legacy.
The Imo Progressives Movement (IPM), through its National Convener Eugene Dibiagwu, recently expressed satisfaction with the scale of development across the state’s three senatorial zones, citing the Orashi Power Project among key achievements.
Energy sovereignty is not secured by commissioning ceremonies alone. Sustainability requires responsible consumption, prompt bill payment and infrastructure protection. Uzodimma has urged residents to safeguard installations and comply with payment obligations to ensure financial viability.
The success of decentralised power models hinges on cost recovery and efficient revenue management. Transparent billing systems, metering expansion and consumer engagement will determine whether Orashi evolves into a replicable template or struggles under fiscal strain. The Electricity Act of 2023 created opportunity; execution will define outcome.
Across Nigeria, States are watching closely. The decentralisation of electricity governance has opened a competitive space where subnational governments can innovate. Imo’s early move positions it among pioneers testing the boundaries of state-led energy transformation.
With Imo marking its 50th anniversary recently, the symbolism of light is powerful. Electricity is both literal and metaphorical, with illumination of streets having a linkage with illumination of opportunity.
The Orashi Power Project reflects confidence in economic self-determination, investor attraction, and improved quality of life.
“Today marks our liberation from erratic power supply and the unsustainable cost of doing business,” Uzodimma said. Whether history ultimately affirms that declaration will depend on continuity, maintenance, and expansion. For now, the commissioning of the 15MVA injection substation signals momentum — a decisive step toward securing Imo’s power sovereignty and lighting the path to its next fifty years.
