Peter Obi | Image: Trumpet
‘I am therefore convinced that the Aba IPP will contribute immeasurably to the growth and productivity of the industrial city of Aba and its environs, which is a very significant step in our vision of moving our nation from the present state of consumption to the desirable state of production’
By Valentine Amanze
The Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has remained supportive of the Geometric Power Limited’s current uninterrupted electricity supply in Aba, Abia State, especially during the very challenging times.
The company’s founder and Chief Executive Officer and former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, disclosed this at the commissioning of the Aba Integrated Power Project (IPP) at Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State, recently.
Nnaji, a renowned scientist and inventor, recalled how, as the then Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, Obi always checked on the power project to ensure that there was progress.
Nnaji further revealed that Obi was constantly encouraging him and his team through the many rough years of challenges they faced, while appreciating him for finding time to rejoice with him at the commissioning of the long-awaited project.
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The Aba IPP, established by the Geometric Power Limited, is reported to be Nigeria’s largest and first independent and integrated power utility, which, when operated at full capacity, will address the electricity challenge of at least nine out of 17 local governments in Abia State.
In his reaction at the event, Obi described the Aba IPP as a miracle, considering the many challenges that reared up ugly heads to stop its actualization.
He said that with the commitment of Prof Barth Nnaji, the project eventually came to fruition, stressing that the project would catalyze development in the commercial city of Aba and its environs.
His words: “I followed this project from the incubation stage about 20 years ago, as the then Chairman of one of the biggest commercial banks in Nigeria.
“I have followed its trajectory and I am delighted that, today, this huge vision, the Aba IPP, has come to fruition. I can describe the project as a miracle, which happened due to the unwavering commitment of my very dear elder brother, the former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, and his team, whose resilience and drive for success pushed the project to success.”
On the importance of the project to the nation, especially in moving from consumption to production, Obi said, “Power remains a critical tool of development, as it plays a very vital role in the growth of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprise sector which is the engine of growth in any nation. I am therefore convinced that the Aba IPP will contribute immeasurably to the growth and productivity of the industrial city of Aba and its environs, which is a very significant step in our vision of moving our nation from the present state of consumption to the desirable state of production, especially in Aba that has a lot of potential for export-led production.
He urged the government to encourage and support more private sector participation in such sectors as power.
According to him, such will not only encourage rapid development of the nation through increased productivity but will aid in actualizing the vision of moving the nation from consumption to production, which he said, is significant to building the much desired New Nigeria.
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