Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has shed light on the true circumstances surrounding the recently commissioned Geometric Power Project in Aba, which is touted to deliver electricity to nine of the 17 local government areas of the state – non-stop.
The governor was responding at Umuahia on Monday to citizens’ complaints of dissatisfaction with the quality of the electricity services they are getting so far from the energy company.
Otti reminded them that “the process of power generation, transmission and distribution is a very serious one. You don’t fling your hand and it happens”. He said getting such a huge and complex operation off the starting point will require citizens’ patience and understanding.
Governor Otti explained that before the generated megawatts of power from the plant could be distributed, there had to be a meticulous mapping process of the served area that takes a bit of time and the rollout of the service will be gradual.
“What we commissioned on February 26th was the initial turbine generating 47 megawatts. Within two days, the second and third turbines were energized, bringing the total to 141 megawatts currently available at the plant.“
Otti explained that he was informed of additional delays due to a disruption of gas supply from the Owarze Gas Plant but that ”have been resolved.”
He disclosed that presently, approximately 15 megawatts from the first turbine are being distributed into the Aba ring-fenced island.
“If Geometric can supply 15 megawatts to the island, considering we were sometimes at zero, it showcases improvement. We previously struggled to obtain 20 megawatts for Aba from the Niger Delta Power Holding and that proved difficult.”
He further clarified however, that some areas of the State are already enjoying steady uninterrupted power even as he acknowledged that others will still need to wait., “I’ve been informed that residents around Umuide and neighbouring areas are experiencing consistent power supply, although it’s not universal.“
In conclusion, he said that the electricity company is a private commercial entity desirous of selling off its product. “As capacity increases, it’s imperative to sell the power; otherwise, it becomes redundant, and they cannot generate revenue.”
Aba power plant, owned and operated by Geometric Integrated Power Ltd of renowned professor of engineering, Prof. Barth. Nnaji, is Nigeria’s first fully integrated electric power solution provider. It is expected that if the Aba model works, it could serve as an inspiration for resolving Nigeria’s decades-old intractable electric energy woes.
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