The stage for Nigeria’s power sector development was set with the commissioning of Geometric Power Plant at Osisioma in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia state. The 188mw of electricity plant was inaugurated by Vice President, Kashim Shettima who represented President Bola Tinubu. This is another huge milestone witnessed in the Nigerian power sector aimed at strengthening big and small scale businesses for improved productivity. The private power group has the capacity to generate its own electricity and independently supply to the Aba-Ringed Fence Area which consists of nine out of the 17 local government areas in Abia state. This feat in the electric power industry was achieved after the $800m investment went through a rigorous and strenuous 10-year legal battle over who owns the Aba-Ringed Fence Area. The protracted legal action had adversely affected progress of work including the stakeholders and the value chain – investors, financiers, host community, contractors, suppliers, the good people and government of Abia state.
In his speech at the event, the vice president described the power plant as a game changer. The project bears testimony to the power of dreams as well as the fact that where there is a will, there would always be a way. He commended the initiative of the company and maintained that, “some describe the Igbo as the Nigerian Jews, geographically mobile, economically enterprising and educationally ambitious. You have the hope, right in our midst. The hope of the nation rests with Ndigbo.” Shettima commended the governor of Abia and urged him to keep the flag flying. Abia Governor, Alex Otti, said; “The power project holds great potential for economic and social rejuvenation of Aba.” Before moving to Aba, the vice president flagged off in Enugu, “Light Up Nigeria, South East”- a collaboration between Niger Delta Power Holding Company and its associates as part of the anticipated panacea to the power supply shortfall undermining the country’s economic growth and industrialisation.
Professor Barth Nnaji, Chairman of Geometric Power Group, revealed that his passion to contribute to industrial development in Igbo land in a manner that would accelerate rapid development of Nigeria was the major influence behind the decision to locate the plant in Aba. “I am passionate about the rapid development of Nigeria, starting with the South-east because of the structural problems it has faced since the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970 and also because of its potential.” He informed that the company is making its contribution to help reclaim the old economic days of the Great Zik of Africa, Dr. M.I. Okpara and many others. Once it addresses the electricity challenge in nine of 17 local government areas in Abia state, not even the sky will be the limit of the attainments of the people and government of Abia state. Abia can set the stage of development miracle which has been waiting to happen.”
The dream of Aba project according to Nnaji, was birthed when Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and current Director-General, World Trade Organisation, invited former President of the World Bank, late Dr. James Wolfohnson, to Aba to showcase the enormous entrepreneurial, economic and technological potential of the eastern business hub. The visit recommended building of a 50 megawatt power plant in Abia for manufacturers, including big, medium and small.
Lack of constant electricity supply is one of the banes of Nigeria’s development. Almost all major investments of government for improved power supply have woefully failed to produce the desired result. Power projects in Nigeria are either designed to fail from the onset or sabotaged internally. At a point in the life of the Nigeria’s power sector, N16bn was invested to generate 5000mw of electricity between 1999-2007 without the much expected tangible result. The contract entered into with Siemens Germany by the Buhari administration was shrouded in secrecy and lacked direction. Consequently, an acceleration agreement was signed in December, 2023 by the President Bola Tinubu government with Siemens to see to the end-to-end modernisation and expansion of Nigeria’s electric power transmission grid with the full supply, delivery and installation of Siemens-manufactured equipment under the time line of 18 to 24 months. Aba is globally reputed for local manufacturing, innovation and entrepreneurship. This bustling buying and selling city, according to Nnaji, “has a special place in the heart and mind of every person interested in our country’s rapid progress.”
The name Aba is synonymous with commerce and technology. This uncommon, independent I-can-do-it culture despite all odds is the norm. In Aba, turning nothing into something is the new normal. With constant electricity supply to the city, the sky is the limit of productive talents waiting to prove a point. Many dead and forgotten industrial cluster areas, small and medium enterprises struggling to survive will heave a sigh of relief as they quickly come on board. Industries in Aba and Nigeria are willing to pay for electricity supply but the lack of it has driven many out of business. With the launch of Geometric plant, the journey of enjoying stable power supply in Nigeria has earnestly begun. It is implicitly hoped that the Aba example will positively radiate and affect the entire country. This is a clarion call for those with the financial war chest to take a cue from Geometric by investing in power supply. Most importantly, government should provide the enabling environment and the needed support for private sector investment in the sector.
The reasons for building the power project in Aba are not far-fetched. First, I accepted to build the plant because, “I had experienced, firsthand, what industrialists in Igbo land were going through,” said Prof. Nnaji. It goes without saying that despite the enormous industrial potential in the eastern part of Nigeria, government’s policies and programmes have rather stalled development than improving it. In Igbo land, people have taken it upon themselves to independently or communally execute developmental projects. Second, there is an existing foundation for informal business structures laid for rapid economic and technological growth of Nigeria in Aba.
This was achieved by the sheer industry of the people. Aba alone, according to reports, boasts of over 110,000 shoe makers and 50,000 tailors besides fabricators of different wares made of wood, iron and steel. In Aba, everyone is a trader and almost everything is trading. It, therefore, follows that when the value chain of constant electricity is provided to lubricate the already existing structures, seamless production of goods and services hindered by lack of electricity and its attendant high cost of alternative energy will come back on stream. As a result, jobs lost to this force will be back while the national gross domestic product (GDP) will increase.
It is my pleasure to join millions of Nigerians in appreciating Professor Nnaji for his passion to contribute to the growth and industrial development of Ala Igbo and Nigeria at large. Electricity is the fulcrum upon which national development revolves. With available supply to power homes, offices, small and medium scale businesses in Aba, Nigeria is toeing the right path to a productive nation.
Eze, media and development communications specialist, writes via [email protected], 08060901201
