President Bola Tunubu is expected in Abia state on Saturday, the 24th of February, 2024 to commission the flagship generating plant of an independent power project,Geometric Power Generation Company in Aba to boost power generation and make business thrive in Aba and environs.
The commissioning of this power plant will underscore the commitment of Abia State government to boost the economic fortunes of the state through the encouragement of private sector investment in infrastructure. It will also reduce the friction that has been trailing between the Enugu Electricity Development Company, EEDC and Geometric plant over areas of coverage in power distribution in Abia.
Prince Okey Kanu, the Abia state Commissioner for Information and Culture, flanked by his Lands and Housing as well as Education counterparts disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia
Prince Okey Kanu hinted that commissioning the Geometric Power Plant is a dream come true for both Geometrics and Abia State Government.
Said he: "The State Government has worked assiduously behind the scenes to ensure that the project is realized because when that plant comes on stream, it will benefit our people.
"Of course you know what that project means to our people, it would help Aba residents, the business community and environs a great deal because power has been a great challenge to Aba and some parts of the state. Once that plant is commissioned, quite a lot of things will change in Aba business environment. It's worthy to note that the birthing of Geometric Power Generation Company is somewhat fortuitous. Dr Alex Otti, as a former Managing Director and CEO of defunct Diamond Bank PLC, was involved with the Geometric Power Project right from it's conception. Fortuitously, he is now the Governor of Abia State and is set to oversee the commissioning of the power plant in Aba. Let me stop at this point so that the Governor will better tell the story himself for greater impact."
On security, the information-boss said efforts are on to enhance security around Umunneochi through the construction of a perimeter fence round the entire Lokpanta market, which will remain operational as a daily market. He equally stated that, in- line with its commitment to facilitating business activities, government has issued 200 Certificates of Occupancy(CofO) in the month of January and would sustain the tempo.
The Commissioner, who disclosed that renovation of three model schools selected in each of the three senatorial zones are ongoing, equally informed that Abia State Government has directed Principals and head teachers of public schools to refrain from renting out their premises for various events during official hours when pupils and students are buzy un classes.
"It has come to the notice of the state government that despite repeated charges to them to refrain from doing so, some Principals and Heads of schools still go ahead to do that. It causes a lot of distraction to the students and we want to remind those who engage in these unwholesome acts to stop forthwith since the extant laws in this regard will be enforced if they continue to breach that directive," he said.
"It has also come to the notice of the state government that some Principals of the private schools that were recently shut-down by government have reopened the schools themselves without meeting the required minimum standards and guidelines set for them . So we are using this opportunity to tell all those who have done so to close those schools or be ready to face the full wrath of the Law."
Contributing, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche emphasized that no school has the right to charge extra fees outside of the fees duly authorized by the state government.She encouraged parents to report all such cases to the Ministry of Education.
She assured primary school teachers who have salary issues with the previous administration in the state that their casee would soon be attended to, as a meeting had been held in that regard. She equally informed that government is conducting needs assessment with a view to employing science teachers and others of key subjects for state schools. According to he, some of those teachers who found themselves in the Ministries would soon be re-trained and sent back to primary schools to continue teaching.
Speaking particularly on the proposed Arungwa Trailer Park acquired by the federal government some years ago, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije said Abia state government is helping the federal government to develop the site. He explained that the project is meant to decongest traffic around Osisioma roundabout, Umuika junction and Owerinta bridge areas as well as generate revenue for the State. He made it clear that the site has nothing to do with RUGA as is being rumoured.
"It is a standard trailer park, it is not a settlement. It is a place of business," he noted.
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