There is hope that Aba in Abia State may be the first city in the southeast region to experience uninterrupted power supply. This is because the state government is set to partner with a Chinese firm, and Geometric Power Plant for the building of nine power substations in some local government areas.
This was made known during a tripartite meeting between the Chinese Firm, Ruyi Holding Group, Geometric Power Plant led by Prof Barth Nnaji and Abia State Government led by Acting Governor SirUde Oko Chukwu, at the Geometric plant located in Osisioma, Aba.
Power supply is a major challenge that has slowed down the rapid economic and industrial development of the nation and Abia in particular.
At present, it is estimated that Nigeria, with a population of over 180 million people, generates less than 5,000 megawatts of electricity. Of the 5,000 megawatts the Southeast receives only 300 megawatts.
The region needs more than one thousand (1,000) megawatts in view of the enormous economic activities that impact on the nation’s gross domestic product. Aba in particular is the MSME capital of Nigeria with over 250,000 MSMEs making different products.
To ensure constant supply of electricity in Abia State, particularly Aba, which is the commercial capital of the state and South East region, the state government has expressed its readiness to partner with the Chinese firm and Geometric Power Plant for the immediate activation the Aba grid of the Geometric power project.
When activated, the grid will produce and distribute power locally without passing through the national grid.
Reviewing the planned collaborative project, President of the Chinese firm, Liming Sun, promised that when completed the project will provide Abians with reliable and uninterrupted power.
Mr Sun explained that his group builds and invests in providing reliable power solutions, adding that with the soon to be launched Enyimba Economic City project the South East zone will certainly need more power supply to drive industrialization and commercial activities.
In his presentation, the Chairman of Geometric and Nigeria’s former Minister for Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, stated that his company provides a model of electricity deployment which domiciles the power locally where it is needed, and informed that his company has license to supply electricity to 9 LGAs in the state, including the proposed Enyimba economic city.
He said that a total of $550m has been invested by Geometric company at the Aba power plant while the critical substations have been completed.
Abia State Acting Governor, Sir Udeh Okochukwu expressed the willingness of the state government to facilitate the project in order to provide the enabling environment for business to thrive as well as provide uninterrupted power for the new Enyimba Industrial city.
