Gov Otti to commission independent geometric power plant in Aba

Abia State Government is set to commission a geometric power generation plant next week to boost power generation and make business thrive in Aba and its environs.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this Monday night while briefing the press after this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to be in Abia State to commission the power project.

Kanu said that commissioning the Geometric Power Plant is a dream come through for both geometrics and the Abia State Government, noting, “The State Government has worked assiduously behind the scenes to ensure that the project is realized because when that plant comes on stream, it will benefit our people.”

The power project owned by Prof. Barth Nnaji underscores the commitment of the state government towards boosting the economic fortunes of the state through the encouragement of the private sector and investment in infrastructure.

“Of course, you know what that project means to our people, it would help Aba residents, the business community and the environs a great deal because power has been a great challenge to Aba and some parts of the state. Once that plant is commissioned, quite a lot of things will change in the Aba business environment.

“It’s worthy to note that the birthing of Geometric Power Generation Company is somewhat fortuitous. Dr Alex Otti, the former Managing Director and CEO of defunct Diamond Bank PLC, was involved with the Geometric Power Project right from its conception. Fortuitously, he is now the Governor of Abia State and is set to oversee the commissioning of the power plant in Aba”.

On security, the information Commissioner said efforts are on to enhance security around Umunneochi through the construction of a perimeter fence for the Lokpanta market which will remain operational as a daily market, stating also that, in line with its commitment to facilitating business activities, government has issued 200 Certificates of Occupancy in the month of January and would sustain the tempo.

The Commissioner, who disclosed that renovation of three model schools selected in each of the three senatorial zones are ongoing, also informed that Abia State Government has directed Principals and Head Teachers of public schools to refrain from renting out their premises for various events.

“It has come to the notice of the state government that despite repeated charges to them to refrain from doing so, some Principals and Heads of schools still go ahead to do that. It causes a lot of distraction to the students and we want to remind those who engage in these unwholesome acts to stop forthwith since the extant laws in this regard will be enforced if they continue to breach that directive.

“It has also come to the notice of the state government that some Principals of the private schools that were recently shut down have reopened the schools themselves without meeting the required minimum standards and guidelines set for them. So we are using this opportunity to tell all those who have done so to close those schools or be ready to face the full wrath of the Law.”

Contributing, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche used the opportunity to emphasize that no school has the right to charge extra fees outside of the fees duly authorized by the state government and encouraged parents to report all such cases to the Ministry of Education.

She assured primary school teachers who had salary issues with the previous administration that it would soon be attended to as a meeting had been held in that regard, informing also that the government is conducting a needs assessment with a view to employing science teachers and others of key subjects for state schools.

Speaking particularly on the proposed Arungwa Trailer Park, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije said the project is meant to decongest traffic around the Osisioma roundabout, Umuika junction and Owerinta bridge areas as well as generate revenue for the State, insisting that it has nothing to do with RUGA as alleged. He emphasised, “It is a standard trailer park, it is not a settlement. It is a place of business.”