The newly inaugurated Geometric Power Plant.
Aba the commercial hub of Abia State came alive on Monday as President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the Aba Integrated Power Project(IPP).
It was a huge jubilation for the residents as Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the 141-megawatt Geometric Power plant located at the Osisioma Industrial Layout of the city.
The Geometric Power Group which has two components including Geometric Power Aba Ltd(GPAL) and Aba Power Electric Company Ltd (APL) is licenced to generate and distribute power.
The president inaugurated the 188-megawatt thermal plant (GPAL) alongside APL, which will take electricity from the new plant and supply to nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia.
He congratulated Nnaji on his resilience and I-can-do spirit, saying that the project bore “testament to the fact that where there is a will there is a way.”
He said that the government would continue to support and provide the enabling environment for private investors to thrive in the country.
In a speech at the inauguration, the Chairman, Geometric Power Group said that it set about developing the integrated power project to satisfy the electricity needs of Aba metropolis.
He said that the group had built 141 mega-watts power plant with state-of-the-art equipment from General Electric(GE) and rehabilitated the entire distribution network in Aba.
Nnaji explained that the four turbines with total capacity of 188 megawatts would be inaugurated in phases until the full capacity was achieved.
He said that the group had also built over 105km of 33KV Over Head Lines within the metropolis.
“We have also built over 40km of new 11kv lines in Aba in addition to rehabilitating thousands of kilometres of sub transmission and low voltage lines.
“We have completed five new substations consisting of the power plant’s 3×60MVA sub station; four brand new 2×15MVA substations at various parts of Aba town,” he said.
Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, revealed that the group built a 27km gas pipeline from Imo River, as well the gas infrastructure to support the supply of reliable gas to the power plant.
According to him, till date, we have invested approximately US$800m.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Abia, Dr Alex Otti commended Nnaji, management, staff and all the partners of Geometric Power whose vision, diligence and resilience saw to the actualisation of the project.
He said that it was dear to his heart because of the immense potential it holds for the economic and social rejuvenation of Aba as a preferred destination for enterprise growth, family life and leisure.
“My promise is that events like this will now become more regular in the light of our on-going discussions with several local and international investors — so we are just getting started.
“In no distant time, Umuahia and environs will hear from us as we are working on a solution for them,” Otti said.
In a remark, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu said it was the happiest day of his life since his appointment, adding that the project which started about 20 years ago was being inaugurated during his tenure.
He appealed to Nigerians to secure power infrastructure, saying “they have become very expensive to maintain let alone replace.”
In a goodwill message, the Director-General of World Trade Organisation , Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala described the Aba IPP as a great example of private sector infrastructure investment.
The former Minister of Finance said that the power project would help scale up investments in manufacturing in Aba area given the steady supply of electricity.
“One of the advantages is that Aba IPP makes use of our gas and clean energy transition fuel that Nigeria is fortunate to have in abundance,” she said.
The epoch-making event drew people from far and near, including the industrialists, entrepreneurs, politicians, academia, government functionaries, religious and traditional rulers among others.
