Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Unyime Idem, has donated 25 units of 500KVA/33KV line transformers to communities across the constituency, marking a major step toward restoring electricity to areas that have suffered power outages for over 20 years.
The donation covers all 24 wards of the federal constituency, with one transformer allocated per ward, while an additional unit serves contingency needs.
The lawmaker said the intervention fulfils a commitment he made to constituents in late 2025 to restore electricity within 90 days to areas where power infrastructure had completely collapsed.
Tweeting on X, Idem said “Earlier today, I donated 25 units of 500KVA/33KV line transformers to Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, with each of the 24 wards receiving one transformer.”
He explained that although the initial plan focused on Ukanafun Local Government Area, it was expanded to include Oruk Anam Local Government Area, resulting in a brief delay to accommodate the entire constituency.
“The delay was occasioned by the need to extend the gesture to other affected communities in Oruk Anam Local Government Area and to take delivery of higher-capacity transformers,” he stated.
According to the lawmaker, the 500KVA/33KV transformers were deliberately chosen over smaller units to ensure wider coverage, higher voltage capacity and improved reliability.
“These transformers have higher power capacity, higher primary voltage rating, bigger size, better insulation requirements and a wider power distribution network,” Idem noted.
He announced that the electricity restoration project will commence immediately, beginning with communities where power infrastructure had totally collapsed, while other areas will be connected in phases until all wards are fully covered.
To ensure smooth execution, Idem disclosed that he has constituted both an Implementation Committee and a Security Committee, with members drawn from all 24 wards.
“The implementation committee will take delivery of the transformers and liaise with community leaders to determine suitable installation locations,” he said.
On asset protection, he stressed that vandalism would not be tolerated, noting that ward-level security structures would be created to safeguard the equipment.
“The security committee will secure the transformers and other electricity infrastructure from vandalism and theft,” Idem added.
He urged constituents whose wards may not be covered in the first phase to remain patient, assuring that “all the 24 wards in the Federal Constituency will ultimately be covered and connected to the national grid.”
The initiative, tagged “Rep. Unyime Idem Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency Electricity Restoration Initiative,” is expected to revive socio-economic activities, improve small businesses and enhance quality of life across the constituency.
