A former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday explained why he issued a former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji licence to run the Geometric Power plant in Aba.

Commissioning the newly built substations of the Geometric Power at Ogbor Hills substations, Aba, Obasanjo recalled that his administration issued a licence to Nnaji to run the Geometric Power Plant as an indigenous power generation and distribution company with the conviction that Nigeria has the potential to make it great and expressed his joy with the progress the company has so far made.

Obasanjo revealed that his action followed the declining nature of commerce in Aba, which was known for industrialisation, adding that with the progressive records of Geometric Power in Aba, more industries will come into the city.

“When I was giving you the encouragement, two people came to me to ask why I was giving Nigerians such responsibility, that they would disappoint me. You have not disappointed me, and you did not disappoint all those, including all the people who supported you to realise this project.

“The lesson to learn again here within ourselves, among ourselves and by ourselves is that we have what it takes to develop,” he said.

He extolled the persistent and consistent virtues of Nnaji and urged him to extend the distribution of power to other local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the occasion, the state governor, Alex Otti, said his administration is determined to tackle the epileptic nature of power supply in the state, as plans have been concluded for the takeover of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company in the state with the acquisition of megawatts of power.

Otti announced that already, the installed capacity of Geometric Power generation is 141 megawatts, which he said is enough for the 9 local government areas’ ring fence, noting the level of the dilapidation of infrastructure at the substations, which would have been a disaster if the company injected power into them without rebuilding them.

Otti said that the essence of governance is to step in where the private sector is not meeting up, stressing that the absence of power supply brings underdevelopment, unemployment and increased poverty, and called on the traditional rulers in Osisioma LGA to protect the infrastructure in their domain.

In his address, the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power Group, Nnaji, said, “Establishing a reliable ecosystem for Aba has been a labour of dedication and strategic investment.”

He thanked Obasanjo for his vision to birth a power generation and distribution company that would sustain the growth of business in Aba and environs and thanked God for Otti for leading the pathway, stating that Geometric Power has been working closely with the Aba business community and other stakeholders to meet the demand of the consumers.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of Aba Power Limited, Bar. Ugochukwu Opiegbe, enumerated steps taken by the company to ensure efficient service delivery in Aba.

In her vote of appreciation, the Group Managing Director of Geometric Power Group, Agatha Nnaji, said, “The vision for Geometric Power in Aba has always been about more than just electricity. It is about igniting potential and powering a new era of growth and prosperity.

“We are committed to continuing this journey, ensuring a sustainable and reliable power supply that underpins the city’s ambition for generations to come.” (The PUNCH)

•Former president Olusegun Obasanjo during the Commissioning of the newly built substations of the Geometric Power at Ogbor Hills substations, Aba,