Aba IPP comes on stream 20 years after conception
The Aba Integrated Power Project, owned by the Geometric Power Group, finally came on stream on Monday, 20 years after it was conceived by its CEO Barth Nnaji.
The power plant, located at Osisioma, near Aba, was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu amidst wild jubilation by the Aba business community and residents.
Mr Nnaji said the plant was conceived in March 2004 as “a child of necessity by the desire to increase power supply nationwide.”
He said the project was the outcome of a meeting between Aba industrialists, Ariaria International Market Traders, along with the then-president of the World Bank, James Wolfenson, and the then-finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, now director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
He said the stakeholders felt the best way to give Aba metropolis a reliable power supply was to build an autonomous power project, with excess power supplied to the national grid.
He said the facility was licensed to produce 188 megawatts of electricity but was starting with 141 megawatts from three turbines.
The plant can generate and distribute power within the Aba Ring-Fenced Area (ARFA), which comprises nine of the 17 LGA.
The facility comprises two companies – Geometric Power Aba Limited, the power generation arm, and Aba Power Limited Electric, its power distribution arm.
From conception to finish, Mr Nnaji said the project gulped about $800 million.
He said it suffered hitches after GPAL acquired ARFA and soon lost it to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) due to a wrong privatisation process in 2013.
He said the resultant crisis compelled Geometric Power Group to seek redress in Court for nine years until former President Muhammadu Buhari, through ex-power minister Babatunde Fashola, resolved the dispute in 2016.
After that, Mr Nnaji said the company “went to work assiduously to pay off huge debts EEDC claimed GPAL owed it to the tune of $26 million to reclaim the ARFA.”
He said the company also sent abroad its turbines not used for one day for refurbishment and perfected gas supply arrangements to power its existing three turbines.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Benue: Troops kill suspected terrorist in gunfight
“One terrorist was neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the scene,” Mr Zubairu said.
Sport
Egypt edge Australia on penalties to make historic World Cup round of 16 berth
Egypt will face the winners of the round of 32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde later today.
Health
Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak now largest on record as cases top 1,400: WHO
Mr Janabi described the outbreak as one of Africa’s most serious public health emergencies this year.
Health
Bauchi govt begins rural-based campaign against waterborne diseases
Mr Mohammed said health education officers in the state’s 20 local government areas had been directed to carry out the exercise.
Hot news Home top
INEC extends voter registration, launches self-service portal
INEC said the extension followed feedback received from its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
States
Wheelbarrow pusher killed in Rivers road crash
The spokesperson for the state police, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the driver had been arrested.
