Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced plans by his administration to buy out the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and restructure Umuahia as another independent power island.
Governor Otti made the announcement on Monday at Geometric Power Limited Aba, during a reception organized following the commissioning of Aba Power’s new 2×15 MVA Ogbor Hill substation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Governor emphasized that the move would provide steady power for the rest of the Eight Local Government Areas not covered by the Geometric Power Limited and ensure stable electricity supply in the State.
He said; “We also are in the process of buying out EEDC and now restructuring Umuahia as another island.
“We’ve done all the due diligence, we’ve done all the evaluations and by tomorrow, we will be making an offer to EEDC. So once we are in control, that excess power will go to Umuahia”.
He explained that with the 11 substations in Aba fully upgraded and connected across Nine Local Government Areas, the installed generation capacity of 141 megawatts from Geometric Power—soon to increase to 188 megawatts would surpasses the immediate demand of the area.
Governor Otti projected Aba’s current electricity need at no more than 100 megawatts, leaving over 80 megawatts of excess power available.
The Governor said the State will wheel the excess capacity to Umuahia and potentially sell to neighboring States such as Imo and Anambra.
“Exactly. So we can as well be selling power to Imo, Anambra, and the rest of our colleagues,” he affirmed.
Governor Otti who stressed that power supply remains the backbone of economic development, traced the issue of underdevelopment, stalled capacity, inability of government to generate employment and reduce poverty level to epileptic power supply.
The Governor assured of the State Government’s support to the private sector, adding that in cases where the private sector is unable to act, the public sector should move in and lead the way.
“Our underdevelopment, our stalled capacity, our inability to generate employment, to reduce poverty level, you can trace all of them to epileptic power supply.
“As a Government, we are determined to solve that problem”,Gov Otti assured.
Governor Otti commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his role in granting the initial license to Geometric Power in 2004 and isolating Aba as a ring-fenced electricity zone.
Governor Otti while recounting the difficult financial journey the project endured, commended Professor Barth Nnaji for staying committed to his vision despite numerous setbacks.
Also speaking, the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo pleaded with Prof. Nnaji to include the remaining Eight LGAs in the state that were not yet covered by the electricity ringed fence of the Geometric power.
Chief Obasanjo, who saluted the leadership style of Governor Alex Otti in Abia State described Aba is the centre of industrialization, which deserves steady power and congratulated Governor Otti , Prof. Nnaji and the entire Abia people for the on the success of the project so far.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman and CEO of Geometric Power Group, Professor Bart Nnaji, while giving an overview of the vision of Aba Integrated Power Project lauded former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Alex Otti for their roles which were instrumental to the realization of the project.
He also thanked Governor Otti for his longstanding support for the project during his banking days as the Executive Director of First Bank and later, Diamond Bank adding that Dr. Otti as a Governor has created enabling environment for the project to thrive.
