By Dan Opara

Residents of Owerri metropolis in Imo State have continued to express deep concern over the persistent lack of electricity supply weeks after the official commissioning of the Orashi 15MVA, 33/11KV Injection Substation on February 6, 2026, or thereabouts.

The project was inaugurated by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, alongside the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and was expected to significantly improve electricity distribution across Owerri and its surrounding communities.

The substation was introduced as a pilot scheme aimed at providing uninterrupted 24 hour electricity supply to the city.

However, findings by ThePressman Newspaper indicate that electricity was supplied only for a few days after the commissioning ceremony.

Since then, several parts of the Owerri Metropolitan City have reportedly been plunged into darkness, with residents experiencing severe and irregular power supply.

The Orashi Injection Substation is equipped with a 15MVA power transformer designed to step down electricity voltage from 33KV to 11KV.

The facility was expected to strengthen the distribution network and enhance electricity access for households, businesses, and public institutions within the metropolis.

As of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, residents alleged that no electricity has been supplied through the facility by the Orashi Electricity Distribution Company, OEDC, contrary to the expectations that followed the commissioning of the project.

Meanwhile, many electricity consumers in Owerri have also described the power supply pattern of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, as highly unsatisfactory, noting that the situation has continued to affect economic activities and daily living across the city.

During visits to communities located near the Orashi Injection Substation in the New Owerri area, several residents who spoke with ThePressman Newspaper confirmed that the facility has not delivered any meaningful electricity supply since the commissioning ceremony.

The residents therefore called on the relevant authorities and power distribution companies to urgently address the situation and ensure that the project begins to deliver the promised benefits to the people of Owerri and its environs.

Nonetheless, all efforts made to reach the Imo State Commissioner for Power and Electricity, Chief Nwabueze Oguchienti, who has been actively involved in state projects aimed at improving power supply, including the partnership with Orashi Electricity Company, for his official reaction as of the time of filing this report proved abortive.

Repeated attempts by our correspondent to establish contact through available communication channels were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the Commissioner remained unanswered.

As of press time, the Ministry had yet to issue any formal statement addressing the concerns raised regarding the situation.

However, it is expected that the Commissioner or other relevant authorities may provide clarification as developments unfold.

The United Arab Emirate, UAE’s, largest refinery has halted operations after a drone strike sparked a fire near the facility.

Sources familiar with the situation said the refinery was forced to stop operations following the incident.

The state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is currently assessing the extent of the damage at the Ruwais Refinery, which has the capacity to process about 922,000 barrels of oil per day, making it one of the largest refineries in the world.

The shutdown comes amid growing energy disruptions across the Persian Gulf, after Saudi Arabia halted operations at its largest refinery and Qatar shut down the world’s biggest LNG export facility following similar drone strikes by Iran.

Ekwutosblog reports that Iran faces sustained military pressure following a joint operation by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian military infrastructure.

However, Iran on its own has retaliated, launching attacks on many Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia Qatar Kuwait Bahrain, among others.

U.S. president Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran over the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post shared on his social media platform, Trump said the United States would respond forcefully if Iran takes any action that disrupts the flow of oil through the vital shipping route.

According to him, any attempt to stop oil movement in the Strait of Hormuz would result in Iran being hit “twenty times harder” than it has been previously.

Trump also warned that the U.S. could target key sites that would make it difficult for Iran to rebuild as a nation.

“Death, fire and fury will reign upon them,” he wrote, while adding that he hopes such a situation does not happen.

He also described the warning as a move meant to protect countries that rely heavily on the waterway for oil shipments, including China and other nations that depend on energy supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz.