Dr. Ejike Chukwu, a leading contender in the Imo State governorship race, has placed energy security at the heart of his campaign, declaring it the essential bedrock for the state’s economic revival and prosperity.

In a message to the people of Imo, Dr. Chukwu stated that reliable electricity is no longer a luxury but a non-negotiable foundation for growth, jobs, and improved living standards. He pledged to tackle the state’s chronic power challenges head-on, refusing to accept the excuses that have left residents and businesses in darkness for years. “Our people will no longer be abandoned to perpetual blackout” he said. “We will begin by maximizing every existing power asset before embarking on ambitious new ventures.”

Under his proposed plan, the government will first focus on rehabilitating neglected substations, replacing aging distribution lines, cutting technical and commercial losses, and reactivating idle power facilities across the state.

Dr. Chukwu promised to prioritize dedicated electricity supply for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing clusters in rural communities, and industrial areas around the state. He specifically committed to separating industrial feeders from residential ones, ensuring that factories and businesses receive uninterrupted power tailored to their needs.

A major pillar of his agenda is reducing Imo’s heavy reliance on the unreliable national grid. Leveraging the state’s significant natural gas reserves, he plans to fast-track the development of gas-fired power plants for stable baseload supply, while rolling out solar mini-grids to power rural health centres, markets, and community hubs. This dual approach aims to eliminate single points of failure and guarantee more resilient electricity delivery.

Dr. Chukwu further assured that every hospital constructed or upgraded during his tenure would operate round-the-clock with reliable power. Technical colleges, agricultural processing zones, and other key institutions will also benefit from consistent electricity to support learning, healthcare, and food preservation.

In a pragmatic move, Dr. Chukwu said every major state project — whether schools, roads, or technology parks — would undergo a mandatory energy resilience assessment before approval. “If it cannot be powered reliably, it will not be built,” he declared.

To fund these initiatives without placing the entire burden on the state, his government would create an enabling environment for private sector investment through state-backed guarantees for independent power producers. New real estate developments, shopping malls, and industrial parks would be required to incorporate embedded power solutions as a condition for approval, ensuring developers contribute to the energy solution.

To sustain these reforms, Dr. Chukwu proposed strengthening the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission to be tasked with enforcing strict performance standards, and overseeing local power generation initiatives. Blackouts, he stressed, would be treated as serious economic emergencies rather than routine inconveniences.

Concluding his message, Dr. Chukwu emphasized that energy security is critical for farmers, educators, health workers, and entrepreneurs alike. “Without reliable power, our people are operating at a severe disadvantage. We will generate, distribute, and protect our electricity supply as the cornerstone of shared progress in Imo State.