Igboezue protests non-commissioning of Aba/Ariaria power plant

Igbo socio political cultural organization, Igboezue has drawn attention of the Federal Government to the non-commissioning of Aba/Ariaria power plant.

In a statement signed by the national leader of the group, Chief Chekwas Okorie,  said: “ The case of the non-commissioning of the Osisioma Power Plant covering Aba/Ariaria Business District is an intriguing executive action that bothers on callousness, insensitivity and extreme marginalization taken too far. “

“We are aware that the PDP Federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo concessioned the Osisioma Power Project to Geometrics Power Plant. This project covers nine Local Government Areas in Abia State, otherwise referred to as Aba/Ariaria Business District. Geometrics with dedication and commitment to make its contribution to the solution to the nagging electricity supply in Nigeria embarked on the project without delay.”

“They invited technical partners and raised necessary funds from financial institutions to execute the laudable project. The completed project was to be commissioned for electricity supply to the area in October 2013.

“The general public, especially the enterprising and long-suffering business men and women who live and do their businesses in the area under reference waited and prayed for the day they would begin to enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply year in year out but this day is yet to come as a result of mindless and most unpatriotic political intrigue that has been playing out under the very watch of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the apostle of Transformation Agenda.”

“We are aware that at the completion of the Osisioma Power Project, various investors had sunk over $500,000,000.00 (five hundred million dollars) and for the over one year the completed project had remained dormant, Geometrics has been incurring interest cost of the fund borrowed to the tune of about $3,000,000.00 (three million dollars) every month.”

“ We are also aware that contrary to the agreement entered into by Geometrics and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, a new set of greedy, wicked and selfish persons in high places halted the commissioning of the Power Plant and proceeded to concessioning the whole of the South East to a new company, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC, in a very spurious and dubious privatization arrangement that has the implication of transferring the huge investment of Geometrics to the new company (Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC.)”

“We are further aware that Ndigbo Lagos, made up of eminent Igbo men and women living in Lagos and led by Prof. Anya O. Anya has made passionate appeal to Mr. President to approve the commissioning of Osisioma Power Plant that would trigger off enormous economic activity and development of its area of coverage. The visit of this eminent group has yielded no positive response from Mr. President, in spite of assurances by the President to intervene in the matter.”

See more at: Daily Independent