PRESS STATEMENT
11th September, 2025.
CEHRAWS CALLS FOR RIGHTS-CENTRED IMPLEMENTATION OF ABIA STATE MINI-GRID REGULATION: GOVERNOR OTTI’S “SPARK” MUST NOT LEAVE COMMUNITIES IN THE DARK
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) welcomes Governor Alex Otti’s unveiling of the Abia State Mini-Grid Regulation – a milestone hailed as a new dawn for electricity access in the state. We commend the Governor’s bold embrace of renewable energy, yet caution that the true measure of progress is not in the glow of policy speeches, but in the light that reaches every home, school, clinic, and market stall.
Electricity is not merely about bulbs and wires; it is about dignity, equality, and opportunity. CEHRAWS insists that the people, not just investors, must remain the heart and soul of this regulatory framework.
OUR OBSERVATIONS AND CONCERNS
1. Electricity as a Constitutional Right
Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) declares the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government. In today’s world, electricity is as vital as water; fuel for learning, healthcare, and economic survival. Any framework that prioritises profit over protection risks betraying this sacred duty.
2. Electricity Act 2023 and State Obligations
The Electricity Act 2023 empowers states to build their own electricity markets, but it also commands transparency, fair pricing, and universal access. Governor Otti’s address emphasised investor incentives, but was strikingly silent on consumer safeguards, particularly protection from exploitative tariffs and arbitrary disconnections that would punish the poorest households.
3. Community Participation
True reform is never imposed from above. Article 21 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights affirms the right of communities to freely dispose of their wealth and resources. Rural communities, those most familiar with the sting of darkness, must be given a voice, not sidelined in boardrooms where deals are struck without their consent.
4. Transparency and Accountability
Without openness, mini-grid projects risk degenerating into another elite-driven venture where citizens pay the price of inefficiency. Contracts must be made public, timelines clearly stated, and grievance mechanisms accessible to all. Accountability is the only antidote to corruption.
5. Equity and Inclusion
Women who cook in dark kitchens, children who study under candlelight, and persons with disabilities who rely on powered assistive devices must not be forgotten. Energy justice demands subsidies, equitable tariffs, and inclusive delivery so that no household remains trapped in darkness while others prosper.
CEHRAWS’ DEMANDS
In light of the above, CEHRAWS demands that the Abia State Government:
1. Guarantee Consumer Rights: Enshrine fair pricing, consumer protection, and grievance redress as binding principles within the mini-grid regulation.
2. Ensure Community Participation: Institutionalise grassroots consultations in planning and monitoring, in line with Section 20 of the Constitution.
3. Adopt Open Contracting Standards: Publish all agreements with investors, subsidies, and concessions to curb corruption.
4. Prioritise Equity: Provide subsidies for poor households, integrate gender-sensitive energy planning, and include persons with disabilities.
5. Independent Oversight: Strengthen the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) to operate transparently and accountably, not as a mouthpiece for government or investors.
CONCLUSION
Electricity is the spark that powers development, but a spark can either light the path to justice or ignite inequality. Governor Otti’s vision must be more than poetic imagery; it must translate into rights-based governance where people outweigh profits, and communities outshine corporations.
CEHRAWS stands ready to monitor this regulation and ensure that, in Abia State, the light of reform does not become another mirage where the privileged enjoy electricity while the masses remain in the dark, both literally and figuratively.
Signed:
Okoye, Chuka Peter
Executive Director, CEHRAWS
📧 cehraws@gmail.com | 📞 +234(0)8035529865.
