By Azubuike Jinanwa/Divine Nwankwo (Umuahia).
Geometric Power Generation Company will commission its flagship generating plant in Aba on the 24th of February, 2024 to boost power generation and make business thrive in Aba and environs.
The cheering news was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu in Government House while briefing the press in company of his Land & Housing and Education counterparts after this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. He said that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is expected to be in Abia State to commission the power project.
Prince Okey Kanu stated that commissioning the Geometric Power Plant is a dream come through for both Geometrics and Abia State Government.
“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.”
The power project has underscored the commitment of the State government to boost the economic fortunes of the state through the encouragement of private sector investment in infrastructure .
“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. His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR as the 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 Commissioner said efforts are on to enhance security around Umunneochi through the construction of a perimeter fence for the 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 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 zone 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.
“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.”
“It has also come to the notice of the state government that some Principals of the private schools that were recently shut down 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 said she used the opportunity to emphasize 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 that it 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.
Speaking particularly on the proposed Arungwa Trailer Park, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije said the project is meant to decongest traffic around Osisioma roundabout, Umuika junction and Owerinta bridge areas as well as generate revenue for the State, insisting that it has nothing to do with RUGA as alleged. He emphasized that,
“It is a standard trailer park, it is not a settlement. It is a place of business.”
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Culture Sir Chris Onwuegbu and the State Director of Information, Mrs. Ugochi Ihediwa were present at the briefing.
Disclaimer: Candid Reporters publishes news, information, sports, opinions, and Interviews. The site includes both reported and edited content. Unmoderated posts and Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Candid Reporters or any employee thereof..
