Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Electricity Consumers of Nigeria (ECAN), South East zonal chapter, has accused those it described as “mortal enemies” of the geopolitical zone, of sabotaging the takeoff of the Geometric Power plant in the Osisioma Industrial Estate in Aba, Abia State.
The inability of the multi-million dollar power generation company to function effectively has hampered power distribution in Aba and its environs.
ECAN, in a statement in Enugu on Saturday, said that “the forces against South-East progress went to work immediately the media published that Geometric Power, the largest investment in the South-East, is about to be commissioned.”
The statement was jointly signed by ECAN South-East Chairman, Engineer Joseph Ubani, and the Secretary, Comrade Chris Okpara.
The association accused the anti-South-East forces of sponsoring media propaganda against the company.
ECAN explained that once the Geometric Power plant is inaugurated, Aba and environs would enjoy reliable and stable power more than any other city in Nigeria.
“In the transition period to constant electricity, the integrated power group would, however, continue to import power from such generation firms as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHCN).
“This means that power supply can’t be satisfactory because generation companies are faced with acute natural gas shortages.
“What is more, the transmission network is old, poorly maintained and therefore fragile. It collapses easily at the drop of a hat like when there is an attempt to add over 4,500 megawatts to the sole national grid.”
The electricity consumers wondered why “the saboteurs against the South-East would seek to create the impression that electricity supply in the country is impressive except in the Aba area whereas the situation in Aba is better than in most parts of the country despite the fact that the NDPHCN supplies the area, which needs 100MW, with only 25MW.”
Describing the $800m Geometric Power as far the biggest investment in the South-East, ECAN assured Nigerians that the electricity utility will be commissioned in spite of the activities of those it called naysayers and malcontents.
“We are satisfied,” it declared, “that Geometric Power has installed the best electricity infrastructure in the world in Aba to change the Abia socioeconomic landscape.”
Geometric Power Aba was established by a former Minister for Power, Professor Bart Nnaji to help boost power generation in the South-East.
