Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has expressed happiness over the signing of an agreement between Geometric Power Limited and Interstate Electrics, owners of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), which brought to an end, the controversy of the ownership of Aba ring-fence area.
The Abia State Governor, while receiving Barth Nnaji, chairman/managing director, Geometric Power Ltd, who was at the Government House, Umuahia, Friday, to brief him on the latest development relating to the Aba Power project, stated that the socio-economic possibilities that would come with a steady supply of power in Aba and its environs are simply unimaginable.
He congratulated Nnaji for his commitment to the project, assuring him that his administration and indeed, the people of Abia State would extend to the firm every cooperation needed to bring the project to a final and lasting realization.
In his words, “I lack words to describe how I feel with this development. This is about the best news I have received in a long time. What this will do to our economy can only be imagined.
“From the small barber to medium-sized business owners to the big industries, it’s a new day.
“Most importantly, this will give more zest and energy to the Enyimba Economic City Project. Power has been a major issue in the plans for the project because big corporations will have issues with coming to operate in an environment where power is not guaranteed.
“The power from Geometric will not only be uninterrupted but uninterruptible. I am truly excited and I give God all the glory. I also thank very sincerely the Federal Government and of course, Nnaji for his tenacity”.
Ikpeazu thanked the Federal Government for heeding his persistent appeals to intervene in the contractual impasse between EEDC and Geometric Power Ltd, which has led to the final signing of an Asset Sale Agreement between the two parties and the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).
The agreement, which was signed a few days ago in Abuja, brings to an end, the long-standing contractual imbroglio that has impeded the full realization of the Aba independent power plant.
Nnaji had earlier informed Ikpeazu that a very significant step has been taken, paving the way for the full realization of the long-awaited Aba Power Project.
He stated that with the new development, Geometric Power will extend its distribution to nine Local Government Areas of Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Ugwunagbo, Aba South, Aba North, Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa, Isiala Ngwa South, and Isiala Ngwa North.
He explained that the project is expected to deliver power between now and the next six months, assuring that the entire basic infrastructure had long been put in place.
Nnaji described the Aba Power Project as the largest single economic investment in the entire South East region with a value of about $500 million.
He thanked Governor Ikpeazu, for the support his administration has provided to the firm and in their interface with the Federal Government in their bid to resolve the issue.
Nnaji, a Professor of Robotics Engineering and former Minister of Power, assured the people of Abia State that better days are now guaranteed with this power project and that the efforts of the Governor to attract foreign investors to the state will receive a massive boost.
He affirmed that Small and medium scale industries would scramble to return to Aba, because of the guarantee of power.
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