Kyari, Oramah Present As Vice President Shetimma Commissions Geometric Power Plant

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has launched the Light Up Nigeria, South East Initiative in Enugu, describing it as a solution to the nation’s power deficit that has hindered its economy and industrialization.

The commissioning which was attended by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari and the President of Afreximbank Prof Benedict Oramah was part of the events launching the Light Up Nigeria South East Initiative.

The project, a priority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at revamping the nation’s economy and ensuring rapid industrialization. It is expected to bring renewed hope to industrialists, investors, and Nigerians who have faced the consequences of unreliable power supply for years.

Shettima also commissioned the 181MW Geometric power plant in Aba, Abia State, to accelerate power supply to industrial clusters in the region.

The project is a collaboration between the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) and its partners and is targeted at improving Nigeria’s infrastructure and strengthening the Tinubu administration’s economic policies.

The Vice President also flagged off the Smart Schools project of Governor Peter Mbah in Enugu and various road projects in Abia State constructed by Governor Alex Otti.

In his speech, Shettima said the project is part of the federal government’s commitment to industrialization and fulfills promises made by President Tinubu.

He stated, “This marks a renewal of hope for industrialists, for investors, and for the homes that have long endured the consequences of Nigeria’s power supply deficit.

“The Light Up Nigeria project powers the hope of our industrialists and serves as a long-awaited solution to the power supply deficit that has undermined our economy over the past decades.

“So, this intervention isn’t a ribbon-cutting charade. This is a calculated endeavour to re-engineer our economy, and whatever we design to oil the wheels of our industries is futile unless we stabilize the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).”

The Light Up Nigeria project was first launched in the South West at the Agbara Industrial Cluster in October 2023. Stakeholders are committed to ensuring its successful implementation across the country.

Shettima expressed confidence that the project is not mere rhetoric, stating that the South East, as an industrial powerhouse, is a critical priority for President Tinubu.

“We were sure of our direction in pursuit of the priorities set by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the dream under construction attracts us to this historic city of coals and industries.

“This marks a significant step toward reliable power supply. The genius of this initiative is that it promises a boost in supply levels to NESI without injecting public funds. Yet, it provides stable power where our economy needs it the most,” he explained.

In his welcome address, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State thanked the Vice President for his professionalism and deep interest in the growth of the private sector and noted that it’s indeed a new dawn for the power sector in the South East.

Mbah said the project is of critical importance since it deals with the power sector which is pivotal for economic growth adding that it will translate to reduced power costs for the productive sector and create jobs.

“It aligns with our approach to governance in Enugu State. It’s a disruptive initiative, an innovative way to address the status quo.

“We are indeed happy to be associated with this as a region with a compact to the economy. With our population and market size of over 27 million, the opportunities are here.

“It’s initiatives like this that will drive the industrial growth we envisage in the South East and the reduction of poverty. It wouldn’t have come at a better time than this when we desire to boost our productivity as a nation.

“Let me enjoin our industrialists to take advantage of this initiative and remove any bottleneck to power use in the region. Let today go down in history as the turning point of power supply in the South-East,” Governor Mbah said.

Also, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State said that it’s quite auspicious that the launch event is being held in the political capital of the region.

“Enough of the lamentations; let’s focus on getting the solutions here. At the end of this programme, let’s come up with solutions. Power is like a driver, nothing else will happen without electricity,” Soludo said.

He commended the National Assembly for removing power from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list but called for the unlocking of gas from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list to enable governors to tap into the opportunity and provide power for their states.

“If we do everything to fix the ease of doing business without power is an effort in futility,” he said.

He assured that Anambra will grant the right of way to any power infrastructure project without hindrance.

On his part, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru said, “There is no way people will be willing to pay for electricity with a lot of estimated billing.”

He called for the metering of all households needing electricity in the region.

Governor Hope Uzodimma on his part noted that despite the huge investments in the power sector, Nigerians have no access to power.

“There is a need for a comprehensive audit of all investments in the power sector in the sector to know whether we got it right and wrong in the past,” he said.

Dignitaries present at the launch were former Senate President and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Downstream, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah; Senator representing Imo West senatorial district, Senator Osita Izunaso; Chairman Senate Committee on Power, represented by Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, and Chairman, House Committee on Power, Hon. Victor Onyemaechi Nwokolo.

Others include Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; Director-General of South-East Governors Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife; Chairman, Board of Directors, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Chief Emeka Offor; members of the state House of Assembly, heads of security agencies, the academia, power sector stakeholders and community leaders, among others.