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

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Government on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, commenced the enforcement of its laws against ,street trading, illegal parking ,indiscriminate disposal of waste products and sundry abuses of public properties and infrastructural facilities.

Operating under the  auspices of Abia State Harmonized Task Force ASHTF, the Abia State authorities are seeking to enforce a regime of sanity in the operations of Motor parks, and other public service facilities ,which had  hitheto been functioning chaotically.

The Source reports that most cities in the State, particularly, are notorious for Street trading, gross abuse of public assets, unbridled reign of touts,  street urchins, illegal operations of motor parks ,as well as unhealthy waste disposal culture.

Over the years, successive administrations have either been overwhelmed by, or paid lip service to the control of the  menace .

In Aba, the commercial hub of the state, the ASHTF, led by its Coordinator, Chief Uche Wogu,  began the operations from the ever busy and popular Bata junction through Aba Main Park to the entire city centre targeting street traders, commercial vehicle operators loading and discharging commuters at unapproved spots ,and vehicles adjudged to have been wrongful parked .

Chief Wogu who is, also, the Mayor of Aba South Council,while addressing the press during the operations that lasted for several hours, warned that it will not be business as usual for both defaulters and enforcers of the law.

The ASHTF Aba Zone Coordinator noted that there is going to be a noticeable difference between the operations of the task force,and others before it .

“What will change is that it will not be business as usual. There is a massive reorientation of the mentality of the people of this town.

In the past, you had all sorts of people in the task forces doing things recklessly. Now, we believe in the rule of law.

Before,you see task force members jumping into peoples’ vehicles ,causing accidents and all other unlawful incidents . ASHTF has six zonal operational bases; two in Umuahia the state capital, and four in Aba.

Each zone has Mobile Courts attached to it . We have four Mobile Courts in Aba Zone and defaulters will be arraigned before the courts,and the courts will in turn award penalties in line with the extant laws. Each offence,has its own penalties ,as stipulated by the law . Convicted defaulters are to pay the penalties in to the state’s Single Treasury Account STA”.Chief Wogu stated.

Further speaking, the ASHTF Aba leader ,assured that part of the distinguishing traits of the current set up is that there will be no harassment and or intimidation of innocent and law abiding residents.

He insisted that the mandate of the Task Force and its operations will be limited to traders that display their wares on the streets and drainages, vehicles owners who obstruct free flow of traffic through unauthorized and illegal parkings, Commercial vehicle operators whose activities are conducted outside of approved and lawful spots, and residents caught disposing wastes inappropriately.

He noted that the ASHTF is principally aimed at enforcing a regime of sanity in major cities across the State.