By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The people of Anambra State have been reassured of the commitment of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration to deliver enhanced, efficient, and impactful services in the state, particularly across the critical sectors of power supply, water resources, and fire safety.
The State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, gave the assurance in Awka while addressing journalists shortly after the Ministry defended its 2026 budget before the Anambra State House of Assembly, as part of the legislative review process of the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill recently presented by Mr. Governor.
Also present during the budget defense/bilateral discussion include: the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Sir Victor Ezekwo; the State Fire Chief, Engr. Emmanuel Chiketa; the H.O.D., Accounts in the Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Mrs. Ifeoma Molokwu; the H.O.D., Admin, Pauline Nwuya; and the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Mrs. Azuka Offor, among other senior staff of the Ministry.
Speaking shortly after the budget defence, Engr. Chukwuemeka explained that the three major sectors under the Ministry — Power, Water, and Fire Service — are undergoing deliberate and far-reaching transformations aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening infrastructure, and meeting the growing needs of residents across the state.
According to him, the Ministry’s 2026 budget was carefully crafted to consolidate gains already made, while also accelerating progress, in line with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of building a livable and prosperous homeland that is also environmentally sustainable.
The Commissioner commended Governor Soludo for assembling what he described as a competent and forward-thinking leadership for the recently-inaugurated Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), noting that the commission has recorded remarkable achievements within a short period of its inauguration.
He explained that ASERC, established through a bill passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly, is now fully operational, with the mandate to regulate all activities across the electricity value chain within the boundaries of Anambra State, in line with the powers devolved to states by the amended Electricity Act.
“You will recall that we now have a new regulatory agency, the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, which has started work. The 2026 budget makes provision for its take-off grants and operational needs, so that it can effectively regulate electricity generation, distribution, and consumption across Anambra State,” he said.
Engr. Chukwuemeka further disclosed that the 2026 budget makes significant provision for extending electricity to communities that have never been connected to the national grid since the creation of Anambra State.
The Commissioner revealed that the Soludo Administration has recorded historic success in connecting over 8 previously unconnected communities to the national grid, ending their decades of darkness. He further revealed that the administration will sustain the feat by ensuring that some other communities that have never seen electricity since the creation of Anambra State are captured in this budget and will be connected to the national grid by 2026.
He also highlighted major ongoing interventions to boost electricity supply to some cities to support industrial growth and urban expansion, particularly the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC) at Ogboji, Orumba North Local Government Area, which he described as a flagship project of the Soludo administration.
According to him, work is currently ongoing to extend a 33KV power line from Oji River to the AMIC site, covering a distance of about 70 kilometres, with over 50 workers already engaged on the project.
“As we speak, cable stringing is ongoing, while finishing works are being carried out at the injection substation. The idea is that by next year, AMIC will have stable electricity so that potential investors can hit the ground running. Power is one of the most critical requirements for industrial take-off,” he stated.
The Commissioner further revealed that the 2026 budget adequately provides for power infrastructure to support emerging urban developments, including the Awka 2.0 city project and the Greater Niger City around the Onitsha metropolis, both of which are expected to serve as major economic and residential hubs.
On environmental sustainability, Engr. Chukwuemeka noted that the Ministry continues to align its operations with one of Governor Soludo’s five strategic pillars—environmental sustainability—particularly in mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
He explained that the massive replacement of diesel-powered streetlights with solar-powered alternatives across the state is part of a deliberate green energy revolution aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions in Anambra.
“In the 2026 budget, we have made provisions to continue the green energy transition. Fossil fuels are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, so by deploying solar-powered infrastructure, we are deliberately reducing Anambra’s carbon footprint,” he said.
Speaking on water resources, the Commissioner confirmed that pipe-borne water has resumed flowing in major cities across the state after decades of scarcity, noting that the Ministry is committed to sustaining and expanding this progress.
He added that the 2026 budget also contains provisions to ensure that more residents, including those in semi-urban and rural communities, gain access to clean, affordable, and potable water by 2026.
Regarding fire service delivery, Engr. Chukwuemeka commended the professionalism and improved efficiency of the state fire service, attesting that response times have significantly reduced under the Soludo administration.
According to him, “The response time from the service has largely reduced ever since Soludo’s administration came on board. You would only hear that there was fire here and there; but before you get to that place, you will notice that the men of the fire service were already there or that they had already handled the fire.
“So, we want to continue to improve in delivering that service to Ndị Anambra; and that is also contained in the budget.”
Providing insights into the Ministry’s financial projections, the Commissioner disclosed that a total budget estimate of N18,191,500,000 has been proposed for the Ministry of Power and Water Resources for the 2026 fiscal year.
Responding to questions on the completion target for the Ogboji injection substation, Engr. Chukwuemeka revealed that over 85 percent of the technical work has been completed, with the remaining components expected to be concluded before the end of 2025.
“Our target is that before the end of this year, the technical component would have concluded; then we will be looking towards inspections, approvals, and commissioning.
“So, give and take, within the first quarter of next year, the power there will be up and running. But the technical works will be completed between now and the end of 2025, or, latest, first week of January,” he assured.
Commissioner Chukwuemeka concluded by reiterating the Ministry’s readiness to fully implement the approved budget and called on Ndi Anambra to continue supporting the Soludo administration’s development agenda. He further reassured the state government’s commitment to improving quality of life through reliable power supply, sustainable water access, and enhanced safety services.
