The Geometric Power Group, developers of Nigeria’s first integrated power project, hosted members of the Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Power and Public Utilities during an official visit to Aba Power and its generation plant. The high-level engagement was chaired by the Founder and Chairman of Geometric Power Group, Prof. Bart Nnaji, a former Minister of Power.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Nnaji reiterated the strategic intent behind the Aba Integrated Power Project (Aba IPP), emphasizing that the facility was conceived to “power the progress of Aba’s vibrant industrial sector, known across Africa for its innovation, resilience, and craftsmanship.”
According to him, Geometric Power’s investment in Aba was not just infrastructural but visionary. “We built this project because we believe Aba holds the key to Nigeria’s industrial resurgence. Power is the oxygen of industry,” he stated.
Also speaking at the meeting, Barr. Ugochukwu Opigbe, the Managing Director of Aba Power, underlined the company’s commitment to delivering improved electricity to all customers. “Our vision is to ensure that every customer feels the impact of our operations, starting with stable supply and comprehensive metering,” he said.
Opigbe noted that the company had already metered customers on seven feeders, with plans to complete mass metering of all customers within the next 12 months. “We have hit the ground running. Our goal is full metering across the ring-fenced area in record time,” he affirmed.
The lawmakers were particularly interested in how the company was handling legacy debt and unpaid arrears. Engr. Blessing Ogbe, Chief Operating Officer of Aba Power, addressed this concern, stating that the company had developed a flexible arrears payment plan for metered customers.
“We understand the burden on customers and have made room for installment-based repayment. Interestingly, customers who previously buried their accounts due to billing concerns are now returning to reactivate them because the meters have brought transparency,” Ogbe said.
Dr. Agatha Nnaji, Group Managing Director of Geometric Power, presented plans to localize meter supply by establishing a meter assembly plant in Aba. “This plant will serve as an assembly hub for multiple meter manufacturers, ensuring faster deployment and local job creation,” she explained.
In his remarks, Hon. Aaron Uzodike, Chairman of the Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Power and Public Utilities, commended the company’s progress but called for broader inclusion. “I appeal that the company extends supply to communities in the hinterlands within the ring-fenced area. We must ensure that rural dwellers are not left behind,” he said.
He also approved the de-bulking of communities currently on bulk billing, urging that individual metering be prioritized to promote fairness and accountability.
Following the meeting, the delegation embarked on a site tour of the power plant and visited areas undergoing mass metering installations. Hon. Stephen Ucheonye Akachukwu, another committee member, expressed satisfaction with the field activities. “We interacted with residents, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. People are excited about the transparency the meters bring,” he observed.
The visit ended on a reflective note as Hon. Uzodike reminded Aba Power’s MD of the critical issues raised and commended the team for their ongoing efforts. “You have a tough job, but we see the progress. Please keep it up,” he urged.
Other members of the committee who participated in the oversight visit included Hon. Akasieobi Igbanigbor and Hon. Margret A. Iheke.
