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The impending commissioning of the 181MW Geometric power plant in Aba, Abia State tomorrow, February 26, 2024 is the climax of the story of resilience and tenacity – and the ultimate triumph of an indomitable human spirit.

I join men and women of goodwill, patriots and lovers of Nigeria in extending my hearty congratulations on the eventual completion of this landmark project to Prof Barth Nnaji, his dear wife, Mrs Agatha Nnaji, and the entire project team @GeometricPower.

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This project is unique in several respects, the least not being that it was conceptualized from scratch and entirely built with private capital.

The realization of this project is a culmination of incremental reforms in Nigeria’s power sector which made it possible for the private sector to participate in the sector and more recently for States to invest and own power plants in the country.

When Professor Barth Nnaji mooted the idea of an independent power plant, at the peak of the determination of the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, to crack Nigeria’s power crisis, he never imagined that it will take nearly two decades for this vision to become manifest.

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Perhaps Prof. Nnaji will share the story of his many struggles and the persecution he had to endure in order to contribute to Nigeria’s development.

It is noteworthy that there are similar investments by the government, which started earlier than the Geometric Power Plant but have remained abandoned in spite of the financial and political support of the government.

According to a report by the African Development Bank, “Severe weaknesses in power infrastructure are a key impediment to achieving high growth rate in the non-oil sector. Electricity-induced indirect losses of firms account for 61%, followed by transportation (26%), bribery (11%), theft, robbery, and crime 2%”.

It can be expected that the commencement of operations will bring succour to the citizens and economy of the city of Aba and Abia state at large.

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Congratulations to Governor Alex Otti @alexottiofr and Ndi Abia on this grand occasion. May this signal the resurgence of economic prosperity in Abia and in the Southeast. And may other investors find inspiration from Geometric Power to undertake similar investments for the benefit of all Nigerians.

FNII.