Goveenor Otti Restates Commitment to Actualising Reliable Power Supply in Abia State
Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has restated his commitment to actaulising reliable power supply as a way of encouraging industrialisation in Abia State.
Governor Otti gave the assurance when he led a delegation from the European Union on a visit to the management of Aba Integrated Power Project(Geometric) at their Osisioma Corporate Headquarters as well as tour of the power plant facilities.
Governor Otti commended the management of Aba IPP for the progress they have recorded so far in power generation and distribution, especially in the establishment of substations in some parts of Aba, in spite of the challenges confronting them, assuring that because of the priority his government attaches to industrialisation, he has already commenced strategic moves that would see the state invest in the EEDC with a view to tackling the challenges confronting some parts of the State not covered in the Aba Ring-fenced Ireland, while continuing his government’s support to Aba Power.
The Governor expressed happiness that Aba Power has continued to improve in megawatts generation and disclosed that he has been holding very important discussions with Professor Barth Nnaji which would see the company sell its excess power to the Umuahia part of the Ring-fenced area after the state must have concluded the acquisition of the Umuahia Part of EEDC.
The Abia Chief Executive disclosed that his government has intensified efforts through the Ministry of Industry and SME to recover moribund but very important industries in the state that went comatose over the years, with a view to creating job opportunities for teeming unemployed Abians, and emphasized the importance of power in the actualisation of that vision.
Making reference to the once popular Star Paper Mill Aba, he expressed confidence that given the efforts his government has put in so far, including meeting and holding important discussions with AMCON, he is optimistic that there would be a breakthrough soon.
Speaking, the EU delegation led by the Head of Corporations of European Union, Mr. Massimo De Luca, stated that the delegation was there to assess what the company is doing in the area of power so as to explore possible areas of partnership.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Aba Integrated Power Project, Barr. Ugo Opiegbe disclosed that they have an embedded power plant that is gas-fired and also a distribution system that is combined with the embedded power plant, explaining that at present, 141 megawatts power plant has been built up and commissioned.
Barr. Opiegbe thanked Governor Alex Otti for the massive support the company has enjoyed from him since his assumption of office, and made it clear that there’s hardly no week that the government does not interface with them.
He recalled how they were enmeshed in Gas Supply problem which is one of the most critical aspects of power generation, but that with the intervention of the Governor who led them to a meeting with the Vice President and the GMD of NNPC they were able to achieve a breakthrough, describing the Governor’s commitment and support to the company as unprecedented and highly commendable.
The EU delegation who are on a working visit to Governor Otti will continue their engagements today as they visit a Cocoa Plantation in Bende LGA with the Governor.
Ferdinand Ekeoma
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Media and Publicity)
February 14, 2025.
