Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Monday commissioned a rehabilitated power line project that has restored electricity supply to Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State after 23 years of outage.
The project reconnects Uzuakoli and Ozuitem communities to the national grid, ending years of reliance on generators and solar power since 2002.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Bende, Kalu described the development as a major milestone, recalling that several past efforts to restore electricity had failed. He said the return of power would boost economic activities by reviving small businesses, encouraging cottage industries, and attracting factories to the area.
The Deputy Speaker urged residents to take collective responsibility for protecting the new facilities, warning against vandalism. He called on community leaders, traditional rulers, and youths to work together through local vigilante groups to safeguard the infrastructure.
“We thank God for this worthy development. Darkness has vanished in Bende. For over two decades, it has been solar or generator. This project will revive small-scale businesses, while cottage industries and factories will also spring up,” Kalu said.
