TheCable

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the 188-megawatt geometric power plant in Aba, Abia state, to accelerate power supply to industrial clusters in the region.

The power plant, described as the first integrated electricity facility in Nigeria, is located in the Osisioma industrial area of the south-eastern state.

It is understood that Aba Power Limited Electric, a new electricity distribution company (DisCo), will take electricity from the plant and supply it to nine local government areas — out of 17 — in Abia state.

Described as the biggest investment in the south-east zone of Nigeria, geometric power is said to have spent about $800 million on its integrated power project, which includes the building of a 27-kilometre natural gas pipeline, from Owaza in Ukwa West LGA in Abia to the Osisioma industrial layout in Aba.

Speaking on the importance of the private sector energy investment initiative, Alex Otti, governor of Abia state said the industrial output from Aba and its environs will triple and provide millions of new jobs.

He said the success of the power project will send a clear signal to local and international investors that Aba is open for business.

“When I first saw the proposal for 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.

Otti further urged residents of Abia state to pay their electricity bills when due.

According to the governor, there must be no attempt to sabotage the revenue flow to the company “because project like this requires steady cash flow for effective operations including payment for gas supplies”.

He implored community leaders to work closely with security agents to guide against any form of vandalisation of critical supply or distribution infrastructure either for reasons of criminality or willful sabotage.

Earlier today, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu launched the Light-Up Nigeria, a south-east initiative in Enugu.

He described it as the much-expected solution to the power supply deficit that has undermined the nation’s economy and industrialisation.

Shettima said the Light-Up Nigeria project, which is part of the priorities set by the president to revamp the nation’s economy and ensure rapid industrialization, heralds renewed hope for industrialists, investors and Nigerians who had to bear the brunt of the country’s power challenges for so long.