– As Shettima commissions 181MW Aba Power
Mkpoikana Udoma
The governor spoke during the commissioning of the 181MW Geometric Power plant in Aba, by Vice President Kashim Shettima, as part of activities marking the launch of the Light Up Nigeria Southeast Initiative.
Governor Otti expressed gratitude for the collaboration, acknowledging the 20-year journey of the project and its significance in meeting the state’s energy demands and lauded the involvement of financial institutions, including First Bank, former Diamond Bank and Afrexim Bank, in bringing the project to fruition.
He also urged residents of Aba to take ownership and responsibility for protecting all power infrastructure within their communities.
Similarly, a former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometrics Power Group, Chief Barth Nnaji, thanked President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s focus on enhancing nationwide electricity supply.
For his part, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, assured Nigerians that the era of estimated billing would soon come to an end, as the government strives to provide adequate meters for citizens.
Adelabu said the Aba Power Project was a crucial initiative arising from the need to support the traders of Ariaria International Market and the entire state with reliable power supply.
“The Light Up South-East initiative aims to address major challenges plaguing Nigeria’s electricity sector, particularly the persistent infrastructure constraints within transmission and distribution networks.”
The minister emphasized that addressing these issues was fundamental to achieving stable, reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply.
The Minister also urged residents in the Southeast region to avoid vandalizing power infrastructure and actively work towards resolving lingering right-of-way issues that hinder the installation of crucial infrastructure.
“We want to ensure a seamless operation of the entire value chain, from generation to distribution,” the minister added, promising continued dedication of the Light Up Nigeria Initiative in providing steady power to the Southeast business community.
