The Imo/Abia branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to prioritize gas supply to the Geometric Power plant in Osisioma, Aba, to enable it to power its turbines and provide consistent electricity to the commercial heart of Abia State.
The association expressed concern over the frequent shutdown of factories in the region, attributing it largely to unreliable power supply and scarcity of raw materials. Speaking in an interview with *BusinessDay*, Obasi Uba Ekeagbara, Chairman of the Imo/Abia branch of MAN, highlighted that many moribund factories in the area could be revived once power supply improves.
Ekeagbara, who is also the Executive Director of Akachi Industries Limited, revealed that manufacturers in the region are seeking an official meeting with Bart Nnaji, Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, to discuss the power supply challenges and explore the possibility of establishing dedicated power lines from the plant to various industrial facilities in Aba.
“If the gas issue is resolved and Aba receives steady power, dormant factories would come back to life, and new investments would flow into the region,” Ekeagbara said. “Gas is essential for the operation of Geometric Power, and I’m confident that Bart Nnaji, who is burdened with significant loan repayments, would certainly generate and sell power if the plant has a reliable gas supply.”
He further expressed sympathy for Nnaji, noting that it requires extraordinary resolve to gather a consortium of investors and commit billions of naira to such a high-level project under challenging conditions. “The same challenges facing Dangote in producing cheaper fuel are affecting Geometric Power. Both face limited access to gas, which is critical for their operations.”
Ekeagbara urged the government to grant access to gas and crude to these strategic industries, emphasizing the potential impact on Nigeria’s industrial development if these energy challenges are addressed. “There is something wrong somewhere, and it seems our leaders are not concerned. However, I believe Aba will have steady power supply if Geometric Power has access to gas,” he remarked.
Geometric Power Limited, a leading integrated energy firm, recently voiced concerns over the severe shortage of natural gas supply to its 188-megawatt plant located in the Osisioma Industrial Estate, Aba. This shortage is hindering the company’s ability to meet the energy needs of the region, limiting its capacity to accelerate economic growth in Abia State.
Ugo Opiegbe, Managing Director of Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE), the electricity distribution arm of Geometric Power Group, noted that the unreliable gas supply is impacting hundreds of thousands of customers, particularly manufacturing companies. “Geometric Power’s $800 million Aba Integrated Power Project was designed to drive industrial development in Aba and its environs. Unfortunately, the lack of reliable gas supply continues to hold back the realization of this vision and hampers Nigeria’s overall economic growth,” he stated.
