● Ferdy Agu
Geometric Power, Nigeria’s leading integrated power firm, has commenced the construction of a 42-kilometre dedicated electricity line for industries along the Port Harcourt Expressway within its ring-fenced area, covering nine out of the 17 local government areas in Abia State.
The N1.8 billion project, flagged off this morning in Umuarakpa, Osisioma LGA, by Geometric Power Chairman and former Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, is scheduled for completion within three months.
“The completion of this dedicated Double-Circuit 33KV commercial line will ensure not only a 24-hour power supply to industries in this zone but also high-quality electricity capable of powering heavy machinery and equipment,” Professor Nnaji stated. He explained that the new line would directly transmit electricity from the 188-megawatt Geometric Power Plant in the Osisioma Industrial Layout to industrial clusters in Ukwa, which borders Rivers State.
Major businesses in the area set to benefit include Oilserv, Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil and gas pipeline construction firm, which is handling the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline project. Others include the Nigerian-British University and Blue World Pharmaceutical, Foods and Cosmetics Company, which aims to manufacture WHO-standard pharmaceutical products for export, positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global pharmaceutical market.
Lawrence Umeh-Udeh, Chairman of Blue World Pharmaceutical, noted that while Ukwa has had electricity supply for years, it was shared with host communities, making it inconsistent and below international standards. “This new dedicated line will solve that problem within the next 90 days, ensuring steady power for industries that are rapidly expanding due to the improved electricity supply in the Aba Ring-Fenced Area since December 17,” he said.
Aba Power Managing Director, Ugo Opiegbe, emphasized the significance of the project, highlighting Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu’s assertion that 60% of Nigerian manufacturers rely on self-generated electricity due to unreliable distribution. “Big multinational companies like PZ are now returning to our DisCo—the newest and 12th in Nigeria—because of consistent, reliable, and affordable power since the resolution of the gas supply challenge last December,” Opiegbe stated. He also revealed that Neimeth Pharmaceuticals in Ikeja, Lagos, is establishing a manufacturing plant in Aba due to improved electricity, further boosting industrial growth in the region.
Opiegbe added that Geometric Power is also constructing three dedicated commercial lines for industries in Owerrinta, Ogbor Hill, and Factory Road industrial clusters, complete with substations. “These lines, set for commissioning within 90 days, will boost our power output by 60MW—more than half of the current consumption in the Aba Ring-Fenced Area,” he said, expressing optimism that companies like Nigerian Breweries Plc will greatly benefit from the power sector transformation in Abia State.
The 42-kilometre New Ukwa Line, financed under a vendor-financed option by Divine Point Group, reflects strong investor confidence in Geometric Power, according to the company’s Chief Finance Officer, Tony Alozie, a former executive at Halliburton, USA.
