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Tinubu inaugurates Aba IPP

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Aba, Feb. 27, 2024: President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Geometric Power Generating Company in Aba to boost power supply in the commercial nerve centre of Abia.

In a speech at the inauguration of the Integrated Power Project (IPP), Tinubu said that the plant would also enhance the efficiency of the nation’s power sector.

He said that the project bore testimony to the power of  achieving one’s dreams.

According to him, persistence in following one’s dream facilitates its actualisation.

The president, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, commended the Chairman of Geometric Power Generating Company, Prof. Barth Nnaji, for his doggedness towards his dream of building a power plant in Aba.

He said that although it took 20 years for the project to be  achieved, it strongly confirmed that commitment and determination to a cause would always produce good result.

Tinubu expressed delight over the completion of the project and the multifaceted benefits it would bring to the state and nation at large.

He said that he was proud of Nnaji for his contribution toward boosting power supply in the country.

He also commended the President of AFREXIM Bank, Prof. Ben Oramah, for his consistency in promoting any cause that would bring sustainable growth and development in the country.

Tinubu described Oramah as a quintessential African, who used his platform not for personal aggrandisement but the advancement of the cause of the blackman.

He said that leadership remains a very crucial factor in the African setting, adding that Gov. Alex Otti of Abia had made a positive impact in the lives of the people through good governance.

“Today in Aba, I saw testimony  of good leadership and I saw the outpouring of love and support for Otti.

“I was privileged to inaugurate the Queens Street, Jubilee Road and Umuoba Road.

“Your Excellency, posterity would be very kind to you, keep the flag flying and  keep up the good work,” he told the governor.

In a speech, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said that the project comprised two parts, including the power generation company, named Geometric Power Limited, and Abia Power Limited.

Adelabu said that the company  had been licensed to generate 188 megawatts of electricity, which would be distributed to nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia.

He also said that any power, which the residents and businesses did not use, would be delivered to the national grid.

He said: “The Federal Government has continually showed support to the project because of its strategic contribution to the development of Nigeria.

“I am confident that with this project, power supply would improve greatly and Aba people would consistently pay their electricity bills, henceforth.

“The end is coming to estimated billing.

“You will all get your meters and pay for the actual amount you incurred.

“The Federal Government would watch the performance of Geometric Power closely, when it succeeds, we will use it as a business model for others for radical improvement of the nation’s power sector,” Adelabu said.

In an address, Otti said that the Aba IPP would generate 141 megawatts of electricity and had the permission to be expanded to 188 megawatts.

The governor also said that the power generation and distribution facility had been built  to supply uninterrupted power supply to businesses and households in the nine LGAs  within the Aba axis.

He said that the project was a testament  to the commitment of the Federal Government towards supporting private sector investors in search of a robust model for electricity value chain in the country.

He urged the residents to pay their electricity bills to facilitate steady operations of the facility and charged community leaders to work closely with security agents  to guard against any form of vandalism of critical power supply infrastructure in the state.

He further urged the business division of the company to avoid any form of customer extortion and commended the commencement of its mass metering for households and business premises.

Earlier, Nnaji said that the project was evolved 20 years ago out of  the desire to provide additional and good quality power in Aba as well as increase power supply in the country.

“It became apparent for us that the best way to ensure that Aba metropolis would quickly have reliable and affordable electricity was to build this autonomous power project to serve the metropolis with excess power delivered to the national grid.

“This desire for a reliable electricity is what led us to Aba IPP.

“We appreciate the partners as well as the federal and state governments for their support to the success of this project,” Nnaji said.

Nigeria lacks strong manufacturing base

Otti signs Greater Aba Development Authority bill into law

Nvosi(Abia), Dec. 12, 2023: Governor. Alex Otti of Abia has signed into law  the Greater Aba Development Authority and Other Related Matters bill.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on Monday in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Otti described the new law as being in tandem with the rebuilding agenda of his administration.

He said that the new law would be aimed at facilitating socioeconomic development in Aba and the state at large.

“Everyone, who had followed the process of the campaign and election would remember that we had said that we need a special focus on Aba, which is the commercial nerve center of the state.

“Aba combines what many cities have individually, it is not just a commercial zone, it is an industrial hub.

“When you see us investing heavily on infrastructure renewal in Aba, it is because we recognise  the potentials that Aba has,” he added.

According to him, the government is poised to transform Aba through combining the industrial hub and the technological hub that it will build.

The governor restated the government’s commitment to improve the state’s rating on ease of doing business, adding that this would attract more investors to the state.

Otti commended the House of Assembly for being  resourceful and industrious in its legislative assignment and lauded them “for a job well done” in passing the bill.

He also commended members of the State  Executive Council for their efforts in ensuring that the objective of getting the new law was realised.

Otti charged the leadership of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA)  to hit the ground running, adding that the new law had given the agency the legal backing to deliver on its mandate, effectively.

Earlier, the Attorney General of the state, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, said that the new law was the first law which Otti had signed since assumption of office as governor of Abia.

Uwanna said that the new law was made for  the establishment of GADA in fulfillment of the governor’s campaign promise to drive development in Aba.

In a interview with newsmen, the Director General of GADA, Mr Uche Ukeje, said that the agency would serve as a strategic vehicle that would be used in realising the goal of transforming Aba into an investors’ haven.

“During the campaigns the governor maintained that he would set up a special vehicle to drive the development of Aba is an integrated manner.

“GADA is suppose to be that vehicle and it will help his excellency realise it,” Ukeje added.

TRADE-FAIR

Made-in-Aba products excites customers

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Customers on Saturday, expressed satisfaction with the quality of products displayed by the exhibitors at the ongoing 8th edition of Made-In-Aba Trade Fair in Abuja. 

The customers, in separate interviews also expressed delight for extending the event earlier scheduled to end Nov. 13. to Nov 16.

 The trade fair organised by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe in partnership with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is with the theme “Harnessing Business Opportunities Beyond Covid-19 Drawbacks’’.  

While commending the exhibitors for presenting high quality goods at affordable prices, they urged the Federal Government to provide the necessary infrastructure, particularly electricity to promote the activities of MSMEs in Nigeria.  

Mrs Treasure Adeyinka, a staff of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) described the products as surpassing their expectations and very affordable compared to prices from regular stores.  

“This has shown that Nigeria is developing. Our products are beautiful enough to be exported and sold to other countries. We should be proud of our artisans.  

“The trade fair is an eye-opener for anyone who has Nigeria’s interest at heart and every effort must be in place to make Made-in-Aba products a first option for all,’’ Adeyinka said.  

Mr Ernest Cosmas, CEO of Fresh Boutique described the trade fair as the best place to source for products and update personal wardrobes as the goods are of high standard.  

Cosmas noted that aside less prices, the goods conform to modern designs.   “I take up opportunities like the fair to restock my shop because I know that the products are durable and cheap. I can easily get trendy products for my clients,’’ he said.  

Cosmas, however expressed disappointment at the turnout of customers.   “I stepped out in a hurry thinking that I had already missed the better part of the fair.

I expected the venue to be filled with people patronising one item or the other.   

“It only goes to show that many people do not know the value of the products brought closer to them all the way from Aba,’’ he said.  

Cosmas called for increased awareness to attract increased patronage.   Meanwhile, Mrs Kelechi Uzoma, described the fair as a platform for the celebration of Nigeria’s craftsmanship.  

“The fair showcases our ankara made products which is an integral part of our identity as Nigerians.  

“The resources generated from the products of our hands cannot be limited.   “Majority of what is placed on display was created with out the aid of industrial machines.  

“Imagine the industry that can be created if the equipments were acquired,” she said.  

Uzome pointed out that Aba-made products were natural resources yet to be fully mined and discovered.    

Miss Elizabeth Irabor, a member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) expressed delight over change in the closing date.   She stressed that the new date was a second opportunity for customers yet to visit the trade fair.  

“This is a chance to come with my friends and family as they are not aware of the trade fair.

It is an opportunity for us to get one or two items for Christmas and New Year celebrations,” she said.

Abaribe, who is the facilitator of the trade fair, had stressed that Made-in-Aba goods were receiving global acceptance due to improved qualities thus the need to stimulate increased patronage.  

According to him, the trade fair will provide a platform for the artisans to deepen their market and improve the quality of the goods produced locally.  

Abaribe added that the trade fair would be a celebration of success in the advancement of Nigerian made goods.  

“Our focus is in the finishing, packaging of the products and efforts to raise the quality of goods made in Aba and by extension goods made in Nigeria,’’ he said.  

While commending the Federal Government for emphasising the need to buy goods made locally, Abaribe said that the country needed to look inwards to grow its economy. 

 “Because of emphasis on making sure that we buy locally made goods, effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the general economic down turn, we have no options now than to look inwards.  

“It is important to find a way of ensuring that we do not spend our scarce foreign exchange in importing products that we can make in this country,’’ the lawmaker stressed.  

More than 90 exhibitors are participating in the trade fair.

TRADE-FAIR

Made-in-Aba goods receiving global acceptance

The Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, on Monday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to patronise locally made goods, saying that it would have great impacts on local industries.

Abaribe made the appeal at a joint press conference with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) to herald the commencement of the 8th Made-in-Aba trade fair.

The lawmaker who represents Abia-South Senatorial District of Abia, said that the 2021 edition of the trade fair was scheduled for Nov. 8 to Nov. 13 in Abuja.

The theme of the event is “Harnessing Business Opportunities beyond Covid-19 Drawbacks” -‘‘MSMEs; the bedrock for nation building and inclusive recovery’’.

Abaribe, who is the facilitator of the trade fair, stressed that Made-in-Aba goods were receiving global acceptance due to improved qualities thus the need to stimulate increased patronage.

According to him, the trade fair will provide a platform for the artisans to deepen their market and improve the quality of the goods produced locally.

Abaribe added that the trade fair would be a celebration of success in the advancement of Nigerian made goods.

“Our focus is in the finishing, packaging of the products and efforts to raise the quality of goods made in Aba and by extension goods made in Nigeria,’’ he said.

While commending the Federal Government for emphasising the need to buy goods made locally, Abaribe said that the country needed to look inwards to grow its economy.

“Because of emphasis on making sure that we buy locally made goods, effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the general economic down turn, we have no options now than to look inwards.

“It is important to find a way of ensuring that we do not spend our scarce foreign exchange in importing products that we can make in this country,’’ the lawmaker stressed.

He urged SMEDAN to continue to engage the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) toward improving the quality of their products.

“Part of what we have to overcome with Made-in-Aba goods is that when we started, most of the shoes, bags and belts had foreign stamps on them.

“When we asked, they said that people prefer to buy foreign made goods but as we have promoted this they no longer do that. They now make their products and put their own stamps.

“Today, the artisans; fashion designers, shoemakers, and various other manufacturers are not ashamed to label their product made in Aba, as no obvious difference between made in Aba and imported products.

“The quality has improved significantly and for some years now all my clothes, shoes are made in Aba including the suit I am wearing today,” the senator said.

He recalled that through SMEDAN, the artisans were able to improve their qualities and have been linked with off-takers from many parts of the country that buy off their goods from the point of production.

Earlier, the Director- General of SMEDAN, Dr Dikko Radda, said that the programme aimed at exposing entrepreneurs from Aba business cluster to further development and standardisation of their products to meet national and international markets.

According to Radda, the trade fair will bring to limelight the challenges and prospects of MSMEs as well as increase public awareness among the target participants on the strategic benefit of taking part in the fair.

He noted that SMEDAN would create accessible venue for exhibition so as to deepen the market access of participating MSMEs.

“The fair is major tool for promotion, communication, marketing, networking and strong platform for cross fertilisation of ideas.

“This annual event will be implemented in three phases, pre-exhibition, exhibition, and post-exhibition,’’ he said.

Radda urged indigenes of Abia to leverage on government intervention programmes to enhance their products and services especially where they have comparative and competitive advantages.

According to him, clusters in Aba will have the opportunity to interact with SMEDAN one-on-one, acquire business information, make general enquiries and access free business counselling.

“They can also interface with business and other agencies for enquiries, access relevant information peculiar to their various businesses.

“On the supply side, the fair also gives the SMEDAN the opportunity to assess the capabilities of MSMEs to enable us design need-based intervention programmes,’’ Radda said.

While reiterating the agency’s commitment to continue to support MSMEs, Radda urged the National Assembly members to emulate Abaribe by partnering with SMEDAN in adopting similar programme at various levels for their constituents.

The ‘Made in Aba Trade Fair’ is a flagship trade promotion activity between the National Assembly and SMEDAN through the Zonal Intervention Programmes.

Shell-Petroleum-Development-Company

Shell’s firm begins gas, power plant project in Aba

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By Moses Uwagbale

Shell Nigeria Gas Limited (SNG), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, has commenced the construction of a 40 megawatts power and gas plant to service the Aba business clusters.

Mr Ed Udobong, SNG’s Managing Director, said this in a statement by Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, Shell’s Media Relations Manager, on Friday.

He said that the project, City Gate Gas and Power Plant, would be located in Aba, the Abia commercial city.

“This plant will enable SNG to remove more impurities from natural gas and increase quality gas supply to end users

“SNG is the first gas distribution company in Nigeria to adopt this technical solution that ensures plant and product integrity,” he said.

Udobong stated that the project is the solution to the challenge of liquid incursion into gas pipeline being faced by businesses in the region.

“Our intention is to provide customers with top quality gas supply at a reduced cost; we are committed to deliver this project,” he said.

The SNG managing director further stated that the plant would produce 10 million Standard Cubit Feet of gas per day.

“The facility can be expanded to 30 million Standard Cubit Feet of gas  and 40 megawatts of gas-to-power electricity generation capacity.

“Our development objective is to produce cleaner energy and create positive impact in our host communities,” he said.

Speaking on behalf the host community, Chief Okechukwu Onwuka, described the project as a good omen to the people, saying, “it is capable of driving business development and economic empowerment”.

He expressed the willingness of the community to provide the enabling environment for the smooth operations of the company.

The Aba City Gate Plant complements SNG’s recently completed 20km domestic gas pipeline expansion project which connects Agbor Hill, Osisioma and Ariaria industrial zones.

The expansion project has enabled the supply of pipeline gas to Ariaria Market Energy Solutions Limited and the Independent Power Project consortium which provides electricity to the popular Ariaria market.