Aba, South-east Nigeria’s commercial and industrial heartbeat, is experiencing an unprecedented power renaissance. Businesses that once choked on diesel fumes are now running 24 hours, hospitals are cutting energy costs by 40 per cent, schools are improving research and learning, and families are preserving food and planning their lives with confidence. The funding partnership between the African Export-Import Bank and Geometric Power made all these possible. Peter Uzoho reports. At the centre of the above-mentioned turnaround is the Aba Integrated Power Project promoted by Geometric Power Limited and a decisive $50 million completion funding by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which rescued a $900 million investment delayed for nearly 20 years by politics and double-sale of its ring-fence. A recent tour of the Geometric Power plant at Osisioma and customers of Aba Power Limited by THISDAY, reveal a consistent story: reliable power is driving production, cutting costs, creating jobs and restoring faith in private-led power reform in Nigeria. For manufacturers in Osisioma Industrial Layout and Ariaria axis, the difference is stark. Miss Vivian Aneke, Manager of Fineporter Nigeria Ltd, producers of POP for ceilings and interior decorations, said supply has been constant, resulting to growth in output. “It has enabled us grow our production from 40 to 75 per cent,” she said. At Damson Industries, makers of shoe components, Chairman, Mr. David Mmadueke said the company has never used diesel since it started operation with electricity supply from Aba Power. “We have light here morning and night. The only time we don’t have light is when they have shortage of gas,” he said. He compared the service favourably to when the area was under Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), and appealed for tariff review. The President of Aba North Shoe Plaza, where all kinds of men’s shoes are made, which houses over 2,000 shops, Mr. Obioma Onyebuchi, said the plaza switched to Aba Power on January 14 and has since enjoyed steady supply. “We no longer use petrol or diesel generators in this plaza. They made sure everyone here is metered,” he said. Mr. Janson Eke, who runs Indiana Lounge at Enyimba City Plaza, said reliability has allowed businesses to plan. “There is no comparison between using electricity from Aba Power and diesel or petrol generators,” he said. “It enables us to plan our businesses and operate uninterruptedly.” Eight different businesses, including lounge, spa and boutique, run 24 hours from the facility. He noted that other businesses are switching to Aba Power because prepaid meters ensure transparency. For Director of Commercial Operations at Aba Power Limited, Mr. Emeka Ngwok, the metering success is a deliberate strategy to end estimated billing, a major source of dispute elsewhere. Aba Power says it has metered 98 per cent of its customers, with 20 per cent through Meter Asset Provider, (MAP) and 80 per cent through the National Mass Metering Programme. “We have active customer base of about 250,000,” Ngwoke said. Residential and small commercial users take 75 per cent of energy, while corporate organizations take 25 per cent. The company has also deployed advanced metering infrastructure, (AMI), with smart meters that can be monitored remotely, and runs day and night monitoring teams to curb energy theft. Last month alone, the commercial department recorded 275 established cases of infractions, including night hooking on grey conductors. The Power Dividend The impact extends beyond factories to social institutions and households. The Administrator of Living World Mission Hospital, one of Aba Power’s major customers, Mr. Charles Mazi, said stable supply has cut energy cost by 40 per cent. “With that, all our equipment and personnel are busy 24 hours, ensuring that we provide maximum care to our patients,” he said. At Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, formerly Abia State Polytechnic, Provost, Dr. Kalu Okoro said the institution got connected within 48 hours of a phone call to Prof. Barth Nnaji, the visioner of the project. “The reliable electricity supply from Aba Power has significantly impacted on our research works. It has helped to improve teaching and learning,” he said. He added that the school’s energy cost has dropped by 80 per cent and that reduced generator use is improving life expectancy by cutting carbon monoxide inhalation in the neighbourhood. For residents like Mrs. Ada Ngozi Greg-Ilobinso, the change is personal. She described how steady power has transformed food management, house chores and health. “I can now buy foodstuff in bulk and save a lot because there is no wastage,” she said. “I can use my air fryer for my plantain, less oil.” She said her household energy cost dropped from about N600,000 on dies
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