The highly anticipated inauguration of the 181-megawatt Geometric Power plant, slated to take place in the Osisioma Industrial Layout of Aba, Abia State, has been rescheduled to Monday, February 26, 2024.
Originally set for Saturday, February 24, the delay comes as a result of unforeseen circumstances, according to a statement from the Presidency in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu, who was expected to officiate the commissioning, will now unveil the plant on the new date. The decision to postpone the event was made in light of unexpected developments, although the specifics of these developments have not been disclosed.
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The Geometric Power plant, described as the largest investment in the Southeast region of Nigeria, represents a significant milestone in the nation’s quest for reliable electricity supply. With a capacity of 181 megawatts, the thermal plant is poised to address the chronic power deficit experienced in the area.
Reacting to the rescheduling, energy consultant Engineer Cliff Eneh remarked, “A 48-hour difference is not significant. We are proud of the support the Federal Government has of late been giving to the Geometric Power integrated company.”
The integrated power project undertaken by Geometric Power involves substantial investment, totaling approximately $800 million. This includes the construction of a 27-kilometer natural gas pipeline from Owaza in Ukwa West LGA to the Osisioma Industrial Layout in Aba. Additionally, the company has installed 150,000 kilometers of cables and wires, along with constructing four new power substations and refurbishing three others inherited from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
Ben Caven, Managing Director of Geometric Power Ltd. and former NEPA Executive Director, emphasized the scale of the project, stating, “We have made significant strides in enhancing the power infrastructure in Abia State.”
Patrick Umeh, a former executive with the Los Angeles Water and Light, praised the infrastructure deployed by Geometric Power, describing the tubular poles in Aba and its environs as unparalleled in Africa. He highlighted their resilience, noting their ability to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes.
The inception of the Geometric Power Group can be traced back to the visionary leadership of Professor Bart Nnaji, a renowned academic engineer and former Nigerian Minister of Power. Inspired by the pressing need for reliable electricity supply in Aba, Nnaji embarked on the ambitious project following a visit by then World Bank President James Wolfensohn and Nigeria’s Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in 2004.
Evidently, the state of power supply in Aba and the entire Southeast region of Nigeria has been dire for years. Before the advent of projects like the Geometric Power plant, residents and businesses in Aba and the surrounding areas endured unreliable and insufficient electricity supply.
Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, President General of the Aba Landlords Protection and Development Association (ALPANDA), lamented the scarcity of electricity, noting that even when available, it was often inadequate to meet the needs of both residential households and industrial operations.
This chronic power deficit has undoubtedly hampered economic growth and industrial development in the region. Without a consistent and robust power supply, businesses struggle to operate efficiently, leading to decreased productivity and competitiveness.
The situation has also deterred potential investors who are wary of the instability caused by unreliable electricity.
Sir Alexander Maduakor, President of the Association of Aba Industrialists, expressed optimism about the impact of the upcoming inauguration.
“The commissioning of the Geometric Power plant will herald a new era not only for Aba and Abia State but for the entire nation,” he said.
As anticipation builds for the rescheduled inauguration on Monday, February 26, stakeholders remain hopeful that the Geometric Power plant will usher in a transformative era of reliable electricity supply, driving economic growth and industrial development in the region.
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