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Imo State Government and EEDC: Exposing the Deceit Called Light Up Imo and Why Imolites Must Be Careful”
I read with utter dismay and anger a press statement from the Imo State Government signed by Declan Emelumba, the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, alleging that the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC, EEDC, is planning to unleash major power outages in Imo State in a bid to frustrate and sabotage the Light Up Imo Project that is currently ongoing in some areas of the state.
At first, I thought it was just mere misinformation from attention seekers; however, seeing the story carried by reputable national dailies countered my initial perceptions and proved that it was actually written and circulated by the state Government.
It is one of the worst press releases I have seen in my over six decades on earth; owing to how empty and daft it was. As rhetoric eclectically brewed by the Imo State Government, I am moved to ask: What concrete evidence does the Imo State Government have to support the claim that EEDC plans massive electricity outages? Are there internal memos, emails, or statements from EEDC officials? Why would EEDC risk reputational damage by deliberately sabotaging electricity supply in Imo State? Wouldn’t this affect its credibility across all areas it serves? How would EEDC physically carry out a massive power outage without affecting its own infrastructure and revenues? Could the announcement be an attempt to preemptively justify potential failures or blackouts linked to Orashi Electricity Company rather than EEDC? These and more are the questions that kept running through my mind.
The said press statement claimed that EEDC, after the alleged planned outage, would turn around to blame Orashi Electricity Company Ltd for the blackouts; that is a well premised attack on a company’s reputation; and coming from the state Government, I am compelled to call the Orashi Electricity Company Ltd, its licensing as well as its operations, a complete fraud of the century; an information I owe Imolites as truth.
First and foremost, Orashi Electricity Company Ltd was incorporated in the Corporate Affairs Commission on the 28th of May 2024 with four shareholders, namely: Imo State Government 5%, Maureen Okorogu 9.5%, Ndukwe Frances 59.85%, and Catherine Anumodu 25.65%. After its incorporation, the Imo State Government, through the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission ISERC, gave it an interim licence to operate on the 13th of July 2024; less than three months after its establishment and without any due process. During the approval of the interim licensing, the state Government charged the company to distribute electricity across the twenty seven Local Government Areas under the Light Up Imo initiative; knowing fully well that it had no operational capacity.
It is noteworthy that the State Government established ISERC on the 3rd of June 2024 after adopting the contents of the new Electricity Act 2023, which gave state Governments the right to generate, distribute, and regulate their own energy; this happened twenty days before NERC officially announced that Imo State was free to operate its own electricity market. While handing over power to ISERC on the 22nd of June 2024, the Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC, Alhaji Sanusi Garba, stated that their operations would start on the 1st of July 2024.
A critical look at Orashi Electricity Company Ltd’s incorporation, licensing, and operations reveals that there are many things the state Government is hiding; it is clear that the company is a private business using the state Government as a shield to thrive and destroy another organisation’s operations. The glaring aspect is that those being fronted are individuals who do not understand even the basics of secrecy. Let us ask ourselves the following questions: Why does the state Government own only 5% of a company it claims belongs to Imo people? Who are the directors and true owners of Orashi Electricity Company Ltd? What track record do they have prior to joining Orashi? The answers are simple; they are individuals fronted by top Government officials; if not, why are the directors faceless and unknown?
Another important question that will unearth more hidden facts about Orashi Electricity Company Ltd concerns how their contract was awarded; was it through bidding? Who evaluated their technical capacity and how? What is their source of funding? Is it from state funds, bank partnerships, or loans? If it is a loan, at what rate? The answers to these questions will further expose the personalities behind the 95% shareholding and how the shares were allocated. If the Imo State Government claims that Orashi Electricity Company Ltd is for Imolites but holds only 5%, then it is clear that the Government is using state resources to run a private business.
Aside these revelations, there are additional facts that expose deeper irregularities surrounding Orashi Electricity Company Ltd; for instance, the company has no published financial statements, operational blueprint, or documented network expansion plan; yet it was given authority to take over electricity distribution across the entire state. No genuine distribution company can function without audited accounts, technical partners, and environmental impact assessments; but Orashi has none. It has no known engineers, no substations, no metering infrastructure, and no history of handling high voltage installations; yet it was hurriedly granted an interim licence that ordinarily requires detailed feasibility studies and network safety inspections.
Furthermore, Orashi has never tendered proof of capacity before any regulatory body; nor has it introduced itself formally to electricity consumers. No public stakeholder consultation was held to assess its competence, which is a statutory requirement before granting a distribution licence. Even more disturbing is that the company is not listed anywhere among registered distribution operators or embedded generation partners; industry insiders confirm that some of its supposed operational teams were hastily recruited political loyalists with no electrical training. If Orashi truly belonged to Imo people, why were the procurement processes and ownership details kept secret? Why did the Government not publish a call for expressions of interest, as is standard for major infrastructure projects? All these facts point to one undeniable conclusion; Orashi Electricity Company Ltd is a carefully packaged smokescreen designed to exploit state resources under the cover of power sector reform.
Prof Onwueri Longinus,writes from Owerri.
Email :[email protected]
Energy experts in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector have defended the pricing structure of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, accusing some fuel markers of attempting to blackmail the refinery and mislead the public over the recent increase in petrol prices.
The experts said reports suggesting that the refinery’s latest adjustment is solely responsible for the recent hike in fuel prices were misleading, noting that importers are also bringing in petrol at almost a N1,000 per litre, while the refinery’s coastal price is N948 and the gantry or ex-depot price stands at N995 per litre.
They stressed that public comparisons fail to consider the differences in pricing structures and supply channels.
According to the experts, N948 per litre represents the coastal delivery price, which refers to petroleum products transported by marine vessels or barges from the refinery to depots along the coastline. On the other hand, N995 per litre represents the gantry or ex-depot price, which is the rate paid by marketers who load petrol directly from the refinery into tanker trucks at the loading gantry for onward distribution across the country.
The experts explained that the two figures should not be interpreted as conflicting prices but rather as different logistics arrangements within the petroleum distribution chain.
Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, energy expert David Okon said the pricing adjustments were inevitable given prevailing market conditions.
According to him, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals operates in a deregulated market and procures crude at international prices, which have risen sharply due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“The refinery is already absorbing part of the cost to cushion the impact of the crisis on Nigerians. We can see what is happening in other parts of the world where shortages and scarcity are being reported despite higher prices, yet the Dangote Refinery has continued to guarantee domestic supply,” he said.
Okon explained that when the refinery previously sold petrol at N774 per litre, crude oil was landing at about $68 per barrel. However, with crude now arriving at roughly $95 per barrel, the cost difference of about $27 per barrel translates to nearly N40,000 per barrel when converted to Naira.
“You cannot expect a refinery to continue selling at the old rate under those circumstances,” he added.
“If imported products were truly cheaper, importers would still be selling at the previous prices.”
He warned that without local refining capacity, Nigeria could have faced severe fuel shortages, long queues at filling stations and a resurgence of black market sales.
“Without the Dangote Refinery, many filling stations would likely shut down, queues would return across the country and black market traders would exploit the situation, hawking four litres keg at N20,000 or more. The refinery has effectively prevented that scenario,” he said.
Another analyst, Mohammed Ibrahim, also faulted narratives circulating in some quarters suggesting that the refinery’s pricing adjustment was responsible for worsening economic hardship in the country.
Accusing some importers of attempting to manipulate public perception, he said, “What we are seeing is nothing but deliberate blackmail by some fuel importers who feel threatened by local refining.
“They are twisting the pricing structure to mislead Nigerians and create unnecessary panic in the market.
“By exaggerating the refinery’s gantry price and ignoring the comparable costs of imported fuel, they are trying to make it appear as though Dangote Refinery is the cause of rising prices and economic hardship. This is a calculated attempt to protect their import businesses and undermine local refining, which is meant to reduce our dependence on imported petrol.”
Ibrahim added that such narratives were aimed at portraying the refinery as the reason Nigerians were struggling with higher petrol prices.
He stressed that petrol pricing in Nigeria is largely influenced by global crude oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and distribution logistics, noting that these factors affect both locally refined and imported fuel in the country’s deregulated market.
Afolabi Olowookere, Managing Director and Chief Economist at Analysts’ Data Services and Resources (ADSR) Limited, explained that although Nigerians expect refined products from the refinery to be significantly cheaper, prevailing market realities such as global crude oil prices, the cost of crude supply and refining margins make substantial price reductions unlikely in the short term.
“Therefore, improving domestic crude allocation to the refinery would strengthen supply stability and enhance the long term benefits of local refining for the economy,” Olowookere noted.
Recent conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions along key shipping lanes have tightened global oil supply, pushing crude prices past $90 per barrel, a development that directly raises the cost of both imported and locally refined petrol in Nigeria.
The unrest has pushed up fuel costs and transportation in several countries, including Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, and Japan, as rising crude prices increase the cost of refining, distribution, and logistics globally.
CHETACHI NWOGA-ECTON EMPOWERS 300 WIDOWS IN IMO
A renowned humanitarian and proud daughter of Mbaise in Imo State, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, has empowered over 300 widows and vulnerable women across the Owerri Zone, in a remarkable demonstration of compassion and service to humanity.
The empowerment programme, which took place at the Palace of the Eze of Ngor Okpala, HRH Eze Engr. Fredrick Nwachukwu, brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and beneficiaries from different communities within the zone.
During the event, the widows received food materials and cash support, aimed at helping them meet basic needs and strengthen their small-scale businesses.
The initiative was widely applauded as a timely intervention to support women who often face severe economic hardship after losing their spouses.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to High Chief (Dr.) Nwoga-Ecton, describing the empowerment as a lifeline that would help them take better care of their families.
Some widows, while offering prayers for the philanthropist, noted that the gesture had restored hope and dignity in their lives.
Fondly known as Ada Imo and Adaure, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton has earned widespread admiration for her consistent humanitarian efforts both within Nigeria and internationally.
Through her philanthropic activities and foundations, she has continued to support widows, children, and vulnerable communities with interventions in healthcare, welfare and economic empowerment.
Community stakeholders who attended the programme commended the Mbaise-born philanthropist for her generosity and dedication to uplifting the less privileged, noting that her actions reflect true leadership and compassion.
Observers say the initiative further reinforces her growing reputation as one of the most impactful humanitarians of this generation, whose commitment to humanity continues to inspire hope across Imo State and beyond.
UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF ACTING ADMIN KING OF THE UKA THRONE
March 6, 2026 – In a landmark royal decree, the Office of the Minister of Information & Culture of the United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA) has announced the appointment of His Imperial Royal Eminence, King Sir Benny Terry Danson, as the Acting Admin King of the UKA Throne. The nomination was issued through an official directive from the UKA Throne and is intended to pave the way for King Sir Benny Terry Danson’s eventual ascension to the title of Official Emperor Admin of the Throne, subject to the completion of necessary formal and constitutional processes.
The UKA Throne emphasized that the appointment underscores its unwavering commitment to competence, dedication, and integrity as the guiding principles for all administrative functions within the government structure. Officials stated that the decision is a strategic move to reinforce national leadership and accelerate the kingdom’s vision of becoming a more efficient, progressive, and unified nation.
The new Acting Admin King will oversee initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable growth, improving public service delivery, and promoting collective national development among citizens and followers of the UKA. The government expressed deep appreciation for the continuous love, loyalty, and support shown by the populace, noting that public engagement is essential for the kingdom’s shared prosperity and advancement.
Further details regarding the formalization of the appointment, including ceremonial schedules and administrative timelines, will be released to the public in due course through official communication channels.
Report Highlights:
– Nominee: King Sir Benny Terry Danson, Acting Admin King.
– Objective: Transition toward becoming Official Emperor Admin of the UKA Throne.
– Focus: Strengthening governance through competence, dedication, and integrity.
– Impact: Expected to drive national efficiency, progress, and unity.
– Next Steps: Official ceremonies and constitutional procedures to follow.
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