Nigeria’s leading integrated power group, Geometric Power, has commenced the construction of a dedicated power line to industries along the Port Harcourt Expressway within its ring-fenced area.
The N1.8 billion project, flagged off on Wednesday by the company’s chairman, Professor Bart Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, is expected to be completed within three months.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Umuarakpa, Osisioma Local Government Area, Nnaji emphasized the impact of the project on industrial operations.
“The completion of this dedicated double-circuit 33KV commercial line will not only ensure 24-hour power supply to industries but will also provide high-quality electricity capable of supporting heavy machinery and equipment,” he stated.
The power line will directly connect the 188-megawatt Geometric Power Plant in Osisioma Industrial Layout, Aba, to industrial clusters in Ukwa, which borders Rivers State.
The industrial clusters benefiting from the project house several major companies, including: Oilserv, Nigeria’s top indigenous oil and gas pipeline construction firm, handling the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, which will extend to North Africa and supply gas to Europe.
The Nigerian-British University, Blue World Pharmaceutical, Foods & Cosmetics Company, which aims to manufacture pharmaceuticals to WHO standards and position Nigeria as an exporter, similar to India.
Despite previous electricity supply to Ukwa, Lawrence Umeh-Udeh, Chairman of Blue World Pharmaceutical, noted that power had been shared with local communities, leading to irregular supply and substandard voltage for industrial use.
However, he expressed optimism that the new dedicated power line will resolve these challenges within 90 days.
The Managing Director of Aba Power, Ugo Opiegbe, reinforced the critical role of stable electricity in attracting investors.
He referenced Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu’s recent statement that 60% of Nigerian manufacturers rely on self-generated power due to unreliable distribution.
Opiegbe highlighted that major multinational companies, including PZ Cussons, are returning to Aba Power, Nigeria’s 12th and newest electricity distribution company (DisCo), following the resolution of gas supply issues in December.
He also revealed that Neimeth Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Ikeja, Lagos, is constructing a manufacturing plant in Aba due to improved power supply.
Additionally, he cited the forthcoming Enyimba Economic City, a project expected to transform the industrial landscape of the Southeast and South-South regions.
As part of its broader expansion strategy, Geometric Power is constructing three additional dedicated commercial power lines for industries in: Owerrinta, Ogbor Hill, Factory Road Industrial Clusters.
These lines, complete with new substations, are set for commissioning within 90 days, increasing the Aba Ring-fenced Area’s power output by 60MW, more than half of its current consumption.
“We are optimistic that leading manufacturers like Nigerian Breweries Plc, which has a facility in Factory Road Industrial Layout, will benefit from this ongoing electricity revolution in Abia State,” Opiegbe said.
The 42-kilometre New Ukwa Line, which costs N1.8 billion, is financed through a vendor-financed arrangement led by Divine Point Group.
Tony Alozie, Chief Finance Officer of Geometric Power and a former Halliburton executive, described the deal as a “testament to the strong stakeholder confidence” in the company’s ability to transform the power sector.
