President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the historic first autonomous power plant in Nigeria, the 141 Megawatts Geometrics Integrated Power Project that will provide uninterrupted power supply to Aba and its environs in Abia State.
The Geometric Integrated Power is expandable to 188 Megawatts power generation and distribution facility built to supply uninterrupted electricity to businesses and households across nine LGAs in Abia State within the Aba ring-fenced area.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony at Aba, President Tinubu said the project bears testimony to the power of dreams as well as the fact that where there is a will, there is a way. He said that the presidency is proud of Prof. Nnaji and the project he was able to achieve despite challenges he encountered for several years.
The President, represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima described the Geometric Power as a game changing project. He appreciated the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti for his leadership acumen and what he is doing in Abia State and noted that leadership is very crucial in African setting.
“And today in Aba we saw testimony to good leadership. I saw the outpouring of emotions and love and support for Dr Alex Otti.I was privileged to commission the hospital Road,the Jubilee Road and Omoba Road on behalf of president Ahmed Tinibu.Your Excellency, posterity will be very kind to you. Keep the flag flying.Keep up the good works”.
In his speech titled “The Power to Dream”, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti said the power project holds great potentials for the economic and social rejuvenation of Aba as a preferred destination for enterprise.
Governor Otti, who recalled that in 2010 that Prof. Nnaji approached him to inform him of the funding challenges of the project and he assisted him as a bank chief and later other challenges followed which delayed the project till today and said he is pleased that at the end, particularly wen he has become Governor, the dream was actualized.
He added that Aba is pivotal to the economic trajectory of Nigeria and the West Africa region and made a call for both the Geometric and the customers to cooperate for a better business.
“As a leader in the private sector many years ago, and now as the Governor of the State, I consider the Geometric Integrated Power Project to be very special and dear to my 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.”
“This city is very pivotal to the economic trajectory of Nigeria and the West Africa region, and I knew for a fact that if we got the fundamentals right, Aba would not just be a city that makes millionaires of dreamers, it would become, a land of solutions to the many socio-economic problems that assail us – including worrisome level of youth unemployment and pervasive poverty.”
While advising the community leaders to guard against any form of vandalisation of critical supply or distribution infrastructure and the management of Geometric Power to avoid any form of customer extortion, under whatever guise he assured of support to the Geometric Power.
In his speech, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabi saluted the commitment of Prof. Barth Nnaji and said he is happy that the Geometric is coming on stream in a time he is the Minister and expressed hope that the long time power problem in Nigeria will be resolved in his time.
The Minister, who stated that the Federal government would watch the progress of Geometric as it does its business, appealed to Nigerians to maintain the power facilities and report vandals of electricity facilities.
Earlier in his address, the chief executive officer Geometrics Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji autonomous power project is a child of necessity which was initiated 20 years ago to ensure a reliable electricity in Aba and its environs as well as his desire to contribute to the provision of power in the country.
He recalled his journey towards achieving the project since 20 years and said approximately 800 million Dollars was invested in it. He informed that 141 Megawatts has been built.
He thanked some individuals and institutions that made the project a success from former President Obasanjo, till now and saluted the intervention of Mr. President as well as Governor Alex Otti, whose support started from when he was at bank to now that he is the Governor. He also appreciated previous administrations in Abia.
The event attracted many diginitaries including wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, Deputy Governor, members of the National Assembly, Members of the State executive council, traditional rulers, members of the Aba business community among others.
He recalled his journey towards achieving the project since 20 years and said approximately 800 million Dollars was invested in it. He informed that 141 Megawatts has been built.
He thanked some individuals and institutions that made the project a success from former President Obasanjo till now and saluted the intervention of Mr. President as well as Governor Alex Otti, whose support started from when he was at bank to now that he is the Governor. He also appreciated previous administrations in Abia.
The event attracted many dignitaries including wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, Deputy Governor, members of the National Assembly, Members of the State executive council, traditional rulers, members of the Aba business community among others.
