After Vice-President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the 188-megawatt geometric power plant in Aba, Abia state, to boost power supply to the region’s industrial areas, it is clear that Abia State, especially Aba is ready to retake her place as the Japan of Africa in area of production and commerce.
Reacting to this latest development in God’s Own State, the president and CEO of ECK Foundation, Chief Dr. Emeka Kalu, described the project as a giant stride in the entire Southeast, urging other states to replicate the feat so that the region will solve the problem of power supply and create new templates for rescuing Nigeria from the dungeon of economic backwardness into production as power plays a greater role in the industrialization of any economy.
The power plant regarded as Nigeria’s first integrated electrical facility, is located in the south-eastern state’s Osisioma industrial zone.
“With the great plan that Aba Power Limited Electric, the latest electricity distribution company (DisCo), will absorb electricity from the plant and provide it to nine of Abia’s 17 local government areas, to ensure the needed solution to full industrialization of the commercial city.” he said.
Geometric Power is said to have spent approximately $800 million on its integrated power project, which includes the construction of a 27-kilometre natural gas pipeline from Owaza in Ukwa West LGA in Abia to the Osisioma industrial layout in Aba.
Quoting Dr. Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, he emphasized the importance of the private sector energy investment project, stating that industrial output in Aba and its environs will triple, creating millions of employment.
“We believe that the success of the power project will send a strong message to local and international businesses that Aba is open for business.
“When I first saw the proposal for a geometric integrated power plant, I knew I had to be involved immediately because, if just 50 percent of what had been proposed could be achieved, the industrial output from this great city and this environs would triple and millions of new jobs will be created directly and indirectly in the short to medium term,” he said.
Dr Kau advised that there must be no attempt to sabotage the company’s revenue flow “because a project like this requires steady cash flow for effective operations, including payment for gas supplies”.
He urged community leaders to collaborate closely with security agents to prevent any sort of vandalism of essential supply or distribution infrastructure, whether via criminal intent or purposeful sabotage.
