…Ndukwe hails contract for restoration of Alayi-Item power grid
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has described the second phase of his Light Up Bende project as “a renewed commitment to development”.
Kalu expressed delight to have advanced the Renewed Hope Light Project to its second phase with the distribution of 26 electricity transformers and 40,000 home solar panels across the 13 wards of Bende Federal Constituency.
The Deputy Speaker said that access to electricity is fundamental to economic growth, improved livelihoods and sustainable community development.
He stressed that it is on the above basis that the Renewed Hope Light Project was launched to ensure that darkness becomes a thing of the past in all communities across Bende Federal Constituency.
Kalu added that the intervention is informed by careful needs assessments conducted to identify the challenges confronting Bende people.
He further said that the impact of reliable electricity on Bende communities is crystal clear, as it will boost local businesses, expand economic activities and improve the quality of life of the people.
According to him, “The Renewed Hope Light Project is an ongoing commitment, not a one-off intervention.”
He stressed that he will continue to pursue practical solutions that expand access to electricity, stimulate enterprise and create opportunities for sustainable development in Bende and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker signed a service contract agreement with KELOFs Engineering Limited for the restoration and reticulation of electricity supply in Alay, Item and other adjoining communities.
The project includes work on the 33kV power line and the replacement of vandalised distribution substation, electricity connection materials including cables across affected communities.
Addressing residents and stakeholders during the contract exchange, Kalu urged the benefiting communities to cooperate with the contractors to ensure the timely completion of the project.
“We encourage the affected communities to give them support. When they come for this restoration of light, please support them and work with them to be able to achieve this target. The target is three weeks to have light there,” he said.
Witnessing the fulfilment of promises made by the Deputy Speaker, a former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and an APC Chieftain, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, described it as “true representation and leadership that listens and acts.”
Ndukwe said that the restoration of the Alayi-Item Power Grid is a promise made and kept by the Deputy Speaker, of which he was present when the promise was made and equally kept.
Narrating how it all started, Ndukwe said, ” It was during the last meeting of Presidents-General of Item Clan at Luxurycity Hotel Aba that the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, disclosed his plan to provide two electricity transformers to each ward in Bende and 10,000 alternative power sources to households in Bende Federal Constituency.
“At that meeting, stakeholders reminded him that the Alayi-Item electricity grid had been vandalised by hoodlums about 8 years ago, and that while his gesture was highly appreciated, it would be of more immediate impact if the grid linking Alayi, Item, Ugwueke and Igbere is restored.
“The Deputy Speaker promised to send contractors that handled the restoration of the Ikwu Isi light-up BENDE project to investigate and send a bill.
“Today, I witnessed the fulfilment of that promise. The company handling the restoration of the grid cables stolen by vandals presented their bill, and the Deputy Speaker graciously committed to funding the restoration from his personal purse to ensure our communities are reconnected to power.
“This is true representation. Leadership that listens and acts. Ndi item at least will celebrate Xmas with full confidence that in this heat wave their ACs will be humming.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker signed a service contract agreement with KELOFs Engineering Limited for the restoration and reticulation of electricity supply in Item and adjoining areas.
The project includes work on the 33kV power line and the replacement of vandalised distribution substation materials across affected communities.
Addressing residents and stakeholders, Kalu urged the benefiting communities to cooperate with the contractors to ensure the timely completion of the project.
“We encourage the affected communities to give them support. When they come for this restoration of light, please support them and work with them to be able to achieve this target. The target is three weeks to have light there,” he said
