By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The founder and Chairman of the multi million-dollar Geometric Power Plant, Aba, Professor Barth Nnaji has expressed the optimism that, in no distance time, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State ,will reclaim its pre-eminent position as one of the industrial hubs of Nigeria.
This is even as he has lauded Governor Alex Otti for setting Abia on the part of accelerated economic growth and development through massive investment in infrastructural renewal.
Prof Nnaji who spoke on Tuesday, April 16 2024, when he received in audience members of the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, of the forthcoming First Aba Investments, Investors,and Industrialists Summit at the Corporate Headquarters of the power generating and distribution giant in Aba, assured that the outfit will key into any meaningful and impacting programmes designed to reclaim the lost glory of Aba as a giant in industry and business activities.
“We are happy that the present Abia State Government is massively investing in infrastructural projects . There is no doubt that investors will be attracted to areas where the needed infrastructures are available . So in that case ,we appreciate the visions and efforts of Governor Otti,in providing the enabling environment. for the thriving of business activities.
“We are also not unmindful of the fact that the problem of insecurity which contributed to the down-turn in the economic and business fortune of Aba has been considerably improved.
“And I believe that before the time of the Summit, we will be fully ready to play our roles at Geometric, as regards the issue of power supply.
“Aba and its environs ,that is the Aba Ring Fence will be needing 100 mw of power and here we have in place a system that can generate 141 MW out of the 188 MW over all installed capacity.
“We will support and encourage any well intentioned efforts aimed at reinventing Aba in particular,and Abia state in general.” Prof Nnaji stated
Earlier, the leader of the LOC for the Aba Investment Summit, Comrade Chucks Ibebgu said the visit of the committee was to interact with the Geometric management as well as seek their support and cooperation for the proposed investment Summit.
“The Summit is majorly geared towards sensitizing and encouraging investors who over the past years were forced by some circumstances to relocate their businesses.
“We believe that most of the circumstances that triggered the exodus of industrialists and investors are no longer there. In fact, the Summit is to let investors understand that there is now an enabling environment for them to operate .
“With the imposing presence and prospects of Geometric, improved security arrangements, and infrastructural facilities ,investors don’t have any thing to worry about .
“The Summit will serve to rally prospective investors ,lure back those that left ,and show case the immense potentials of Aba as destination choice for investors .” Ibegbu noted.
He, therefore, appealed to authorities at all levels, particularly, the Federal Government to continue its support to the Aba Power outfit, so that it can meet the high expectations of the people.
“We want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Federal Government and Abia state authorities for their immense support for the Geometric project.
“We also wish to thank the Federal Government for the efforts it is making to improve Gas supply to the Power plant .We understand that right now there are issues affecting adequate Gas supply,which in turn is affecting the abilities of the company to meet its obligations to the consumers . We will appreciate if the authorities concerned will expedite action towards rectifying the problems.” Ibegbu noted
