A 140 Mega Watts capacity gas driven power plant being constructed in Aba, Abia State by a private company, Geometric Power Ltd is fast nearing completion as one of its turbines is to be fired-up by March.
The Managing Director of the company, Mrs. Agatha Nnaji disclosed this to members of the National Good Governance Tour team when she received them at the project site on Friday 18th January, 2013.
Nnaji said that the three turbines at the power plant had been installed and the gas supply pipeline from Shell Petroleum facility close to the plant had been completed.
“We have completed all the major works on this project; we have laid the pipeline for the supply of gas to the plant.
“The distribution facility is also near completion, so by March, the first turbine will be fired and the remaining two will follow shortly,’’ she said.
She added that the company had completed the construction of four substations at different locations in Abia and planned to refurbish three substations that were bought over from PHCN.
She said that the company was making arrangements to absorb some former staff of PHCN.
NAN reports that the plant located in Osisioma community is designed to generate 140 mega watts of electricity to Aba and its environs.
The plant which is made up of three gas turbines, each designed to generate 47 mega watts
is being constructed by a South African firm, Group Five Ltd.
In his remark, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, commended the management of the company for their foresight and courage in venturing into the power business.
Mr. Maku said the level of work achieved at the site of the power plant showed that the engineers comprising Nigerians and South Africans were committed. He thanked the former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji for driving the Power Reform Programme before he left office.
“For the first time in the history of Nigeria, President Jonathan has put his finger to address the problems of the power sector. The President has been criticized and in some cases insulted. I have told Mr. President that a reformer will not get support in the beginning but people would begin to see the silent work being done as proof of his commitment to the development of the sector. The President might be humble and quiet but he is focused and committed to the progress of Nigeria. People may insult him but he is going to be the best President ever in the history of Nigeria”, the Information Minister said.
Maku further noted that power generation and distribution in the country will now be handled by the private sector instead of the unsustainable methods adopted in the past.