Dep Speaker Kalu Commissions 1000KVA Solar Power Project in Abia, Donates House to Widow
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu Friday commissioned a 1000KVA solar-powered electricity project in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State as part of efforts to improve power supply and stimulate economic activities in the area.
The project, which is expected to provide reliable and sustainable electricity to Bende headquarters and surrounding communities was initiated by Kalu, who represents the constituency at the National Assembly.
He said the solar facility, with a projected battery lifespan of about 25 years, would serve the community for decades.
Speaking at the commissioning, Kalu stressed the importance of community cooperation for the sustainability of the project, explaining that electricity would be generated at a central location and distributed through multiple transformers across the area.
He disclosed that the solar farm was built on his personal land after the community failed to provide a suitable site, adding that all 13 wards in the constituency had been registered to benefit from similar projects once land is made available.
“This one is 1000KVA, and another 1000KVA is coming. They will be spread across Bende community. This project will serve us for a very long time,” he said, urging residents to grant access to land and transformers to ensure effective distribution.
The Deputy Speaker also revealed that work was ongoing to reconnect Uzoakoli, Ozuitem and Bende headquarters to the national grid from the Alaoji power station, noting that about N200 million had been spent on repairs and replacement of faulty transformers.
“To develop a community, all hands must join,” Kalu said, calling on residents to take responsibility for maintaining local infrastructure. He also appealed for the establishment of a community vigilante group to protect the power facilities from vandalism.
Kalu thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, stating that improved electricity supply would boost small-scale businesses and enhance productivity in the constituency.
The Deputy Speaker donated a newly built two-bedroom bungalow to a widow, Mrs. Mgbadu Kalu Madukwem and her son, Onyebuchi, at Agbamunzu Village, Umuoche Autonomous Community in Bende Local Government Area.
Handing over the keys, Kalu said the decision to build the house was inspired by his encounter with the family’s dilapidated mud house during an evening walk months earlier. He pledged to rebuild other unsafe mud houses across Bende, beginning this January.
“I cannot be living comfortably while those who sent me to Abuja are sleeping in leaking mud houses,” he said.
The beneficiaries, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Speaker and prayed for God’s blessings upon him.
