By Ahamefula Ndimele
The Aba Independent Power Project (Aba IPP), developed by Geometric Power, Nigeria’s only fully integrated electricity company, has been described as world-class by the United States ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills.
Mills gave the commendation on Saturday after leading a delegation of top U.S. embassy officials to inspect the company’s facilities located within the Osisioma Industrial Layout in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.
According to him, “This is world-class, reflecting the kind of innovation and commitment needed to address Nigeria’s energy challenges.”
The delegation toured the company’s General Electric turbines, manufactured by the world’s oldest and largest electricity equipment maker based in the United States.
They also inspected Geometric Power’s state-of-the-art digital SCADA system, designed to manage electricity distribution across all 30 feeders within the Aba Ring-Fenced Area.
In addition, the team was shown the firm’s massive steel tubular poles, described as similar to those used in earthquake-prone cities such as San Francisco, USA, and Tokyo, Japan.
“Though there are no natural disasters like earthquake recorded in the Aba Ring-Fenced Area served by Aba Power which comprises nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State,” explained Professor Bart Nnaji, chairman of Geometric Power, “we installed them to ensure that Aba and its environs would continue to have uninterrupted power in the event of a natural disaster.”
Nnaji, a former Minister of Power and globally respected engineering researcher before returning to Nigeria, noted that the tubulars are buried 10 metres deep to withstand extreme conditions.
He further disclosed that Geometric Power is collaborating with international partners to develop new power projects aimed at boosting Nigeria’s long-term energy security.
Mills commended the company’s unique end-to-end model, which makes it the only Nigerian power firm that both generates and distributes electricity to a dedicated service area.
“Nigerians are globally known for their creativity and talent,” Ambassador Mills stated. “This power plant is a perfect example of that.”
After a briefing from Engineer Livinus Mmaram, Geometric Power’s Director of Training and Development, Mills also praised the company’s partnerships with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for workforce training and retraining.
“These arrangements make the entire enterprise a sustainable business,” he added.
Others on the U.S. delegation included Rick Swart, Consul General in Lagos; Mike Ervin, Chief of the Political and Economic Section; and Julie McKay, Chief of Public Diplomacy.
