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By Engr. Egu Dennis (EguD Energy Solution) 

At Ariaria Market, Energy Solution Limited, a 9.5 megawatt independent power plant was built by a private consortium under the umbrella of the Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI) of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Aba, Abia State.

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The plant is to supply electricity to up to 47,000 shops and small businesses operating at the Ariaria International Market. The off-grid power plant was granted regulatory licence by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) with the help of the Federal government through Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

Ariaria, popularly known as the China of Africa, is a major market not only in the southeastern part of Nigeria but also in the West African sub-region. Over the years, the market has suffered from infrastructural decay and inadequate power supply that have affected local production of goods.

This is where I first came across compressed natural gas (CNG). The power plant is powered by CNG, a product way cheaper than PMS, kerosene, diesel or any other petrochemical for power production. As at the time of my training, there was space for about three or four plants, but only two have been installed, with just one serving for good reasons, the reason being that the market only uses between 25% to 30% of the energy produced from just one of the power plants.

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This is because over the years it has been very difficult, if not impossible, to take a particular area off the national grid, so you cannot produce or distribute energy to others in Nigeria. But since President Tinubu signed the New Electricity Act 2023, the new bill seeks to promote private sector investments in the Nigerian power sector and de-monopolize the nation’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution at the national level.

I honestly want to use this medium to plead that:

1) the plants should be completed.

2) that the four plants that run on the cheapest petrochemical ever (CNG) be allowed to serve Aba Metropolitan City to solve the power issues of the area with a lower tariff and steady supply.

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This will not only serve to ensure a steady power supply but will also enhance small and medium-scale businesses (with the possible inclusion of large-scale businesses) in and within Aba, enhance production, and contribute to the return of the city’s glory.

Let us use every policy available to us to redevelop our City, our state, and, by extension, our country, Nigeria.

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