President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated the 188 megawatts Geometric Power Generating Company in Aba to boost power supply in the commercial nerve centre of Abia.
The inauguration of the historic project took place 20 years after it was initiated, and nine years after its completion but jinxed following a legal battle with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, which was recently resolved
In a speech at the inauguration of the Integrated Power Project (IPP), Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said that the plant would also enhance the efficiency of the nation’s power sector.
Geometric Power assures of reliable power supply in Aba by March
He said that the project bore testimony to the power of achieving one’s dreams.
According to him, persistence in following one’s dream facilitates its actualisation.
The president, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, commended the Chairman of Geometric Power Generating Company, Prof. Barth Nnaji, for his doggedness towards his dream of building a power plant in Aba.
He said that although it took 20 years for the project to be achieved, it strongly confirmed that commitment and determination to a cause would always produce good result.
Tinubu expressed delight over the completion of the project and the multifaceted benefits it would bring to the state and nation at large.
He said that he was proud of Nnaji for his contribution toward boosting power supply in the country.
He also commended the President of AFREXIM Bank, Prof. Ben Oramah, for his consistency in promoting any cause that would bring sustainable growth and development in the country.
Tinubu described Oramah as a quintessential African, who used his platform not for personal aggrandisement but the advancement of the cause of the blackman.
He said that leadership remains a very crucial factor in the African setting, adding that Gov. Alex Otti of Abia had made a positive impact in the lives of the people through good governance.
“Today in Aba, I saw testimony of good leadership and I saw the outpouring of love and support for Otti.
“I was privileged to inaugurate the Queens Street, Jubilee Road and Umuoba Road.
“Your Excellency, posterity would be very kind to you, keep the flag flying and keep up the good work,” he told the governor.
In a speech, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said that the project comprised two parts, including the power generation company, named Geometric Power Limited, and Abia Power Limited.
Adelabu said that the company had been licensed to generate 188 megawatts of electricity, which would be distributed to nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia.
He also said that any power, which the residents and businesses did not use, would be delivered to the national grid.
He said: “The Federal Government has continually showed support to the project because of its strategic contribution to the development of Nigeria.
“I am confident that with this project, power supply would improve greatly and Aba people would consistently pay their electricity bills, henceforth.
“The end is coming to estimated billing.
“You will all get your meters and pay for the actual amount you incurred.
“The Federal Government would watch the performance of Geometric Power closely, when it succeeds, we will use it as a business model for others for radical improvement of the nation’s power sector,” Adelabu said.
In an address, Otti said that the Aba IPP would generate 141 megawatts of electricity and had the permission to be expanded to 188 megawatts.
The governor also said that the power generation and distribution facility had been built to supply uninterrupted power supply to businesses and households in the nine LGAs within the Aba axis.
He said that the project was a testament to the commitment of the Federal Government towards supporting private sector investors in search of a robust model for electricity value chain in the country.
He urged the residents to pay their electricity bills to facilitate steady operations of the facility and charged community leaders to work closely with security agents to guard against any form of vandalism of critical power supply infrastructure in the state.
He further urged the business division of the company to avoid any form of customer extortion and commended the commencement of its mass metering for households and business premises.
Earlier, Nnaji said that the project was evolved 20 years ago out of the desire to provide additional and good quality power in Aba as well as increase power supply in the country.
“It became apparent for us that the best way to ensure that Aba metropolis would quickly have reliable and affordable electricity was to build this autonomous power project to serve the metropolis with excess power delivered to the national grid.
“This desire for a reliable electricity is what led us to Aba IPP.
“We appreciate the partners as well as the federal and state governments for their support to the success of this project,” Nnaji said.
The Vice President commended the resilience of the former Minister in enduring the years of delays and setbacks to his lofty dream.
He sympathised with him over the frustrations he was put through by some interested party.
“About two weeks ago when I met Professor Nnaji I was curious to ask him how old he was. He told me that he was 67 years, and I was amazed. He looks 80 years. The tears and wears, and frustrations of 20 years have taken a great toll on him. But thank God, we are here to commission this game-changing project.”
The Vice President said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Nigeria are very proud of Professor Nnaji for the uncommon feat.
The Vice President who had earlier inaugurated three roads in Aba, also commended Governor Alex Otti for his gaint strides especially in infrastructural development.
“Today in Aba, I saw testimony to good leadership. I saw the outpouring of emotion and support for Alex Otti. Posterity will be very kind to him”
