Reliable electricity supply is helping manufacturers, traders and households in Aba, Abia State, reduce their dependence on petrol and diesel generators, with one tertiary institution reporting an 80 per cent drop in energy costs.
The development follows the deployment of the Aba Integrated Power Project by Geometric Power, through its subsidiary, Aba Power, which supplies electricity to businesses, institutions and households in the commercial city.
For years, unreliable electricity has contributed to the decline of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, increasing production costs and forcing businesses to rely on expensive alternative power sources.
However, manufacturers in Aba say the improved supply has enabled them to extend operating hours, maintain production and reduce disruptions caused by blackouts.
Chairman of Geometric Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, described the project, which attracted investment exceeding $900m, as the fulfilment of a long-held vision to provide reliable and affordable electricity.
He said the company was committed to serving customers across different social and economic classes.
“Our services are for all people, regardless of class or status. Electricity is a fundamental right of the Nigerian people, and we are happy to provide reliable and affordable electricity to all our customers,” Nnaji said.
He added that Aba Power was wholly privately owned and had not received Federal Government subsidies, unlike legacy electricity distribution companies.
The Group Managing Director of Geometric Power, Mrs Agatha Nnaji, said a $50m facility from the African Export-Import Bank was instrumental in completing and commissioning the project after years of delays.
“Afreximbank is the bank that provided the funding that enabled us to complete and commission the project,” she said.
According to her, the project suffered a seven-year delay due to political interference and other challenges, leaving the company to maintain existing facilities and pay staff while awaiting resolution of outstanding issues.
She said the intervention of former President Goodluck Jonathan and subsequent directives by his successor, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, helped address issues arising from the privatisation process.
Agatha Nnaji said Afreximbank eventually provided the funding needed to complete the project, despite the difficulties surrounding its implementation.
She added that the bank recognised Aba’s potential as an industrial hub and the benefits reliable electricity could bring to the community.
The company said its investment in distribution infrastructure was also central to efforts to maintain stable supply.
The Director of Commercial Operations, Engineer Victor Ngwoke, said Aba Power installed heavy-duty tubular steel poles with reinforced concrete foundations to reduce disruptions and withstand significant impact.
“We wanted to have a very sturdy and reliable infrastructure. We, therefore, deliberately invested in heavy tubular steel poles,” he said.
Ngwoke said the company also maintained conventional concrete poles and worked to restore damaged infrastructure whenever faults occurred.
On electricity metering, he disclosed that approximately 98 per cent of the company’s customers had prepaid meters, allowing them to monitor consumption and manage their expenses.
He added that Aba Power deployed smart meters and monitoring teams to detect electricity theft, including illegal connections and meter bypasses.
According to him, residents have supported efforts to protect the network because of the benefits reliable electricity brings to their businesses and livelihoods.
Aba Power currently takes an average of 50 to 60 megawatts from an installed generation capacity exceeding 140 megawatts, according to the company.
The available capacity has enabled it to extend supply to some communities in neighbouring Rivers State that are underserved by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company.
The company said it hoped to expand its reach across Abia State, subject to infrastructure availability and other operational requirements.
At Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, the improved electricity supply has reduced energy expenses and extended the time available for academic and administrative activities.
The Rector, Professor Christopher Okoro, said the institution faced a substantial outstanding diesel bill when he assumed office in 2024, prompting him to seek assistance from Geometric Power.
He said the institution was connected to Aba Power within 48 hours of contacting Nnaji.
Before the connection, Okoro said, unreliable electricity disrupted research and other academic activities, forcing staff to leave the campus as early as 2pm.
The institution, which is not residential, now remains active until late in the evening because of the improved supply.
“Before now, staff used to leave by 2pm. They cannot work without electricity. You cannot carry out research without electricity,” the rector said.
He added that the institution’s energy costs had fallen by about 80 per cent.
Manufacturers and traders have also reported improvements in their operations.
Chairman of Damson Industries, a manufacturer of shoe components, David Mmadueke, said the factory had been able to operate morning and night shifts without routinely shutting down because of electricity shortages.
“We have light here morning and night. The only time we didn’t have light was when the company had a problem with gas supply for about three days. Apart from that, this factory has never closed because there is no electricity,” he said.
Similarly, President of Aba North Shoe Plaza, Obioma Onyebuchi, said the commercial centre, which houses more than 2,000 shops, switched to Aba Power on January 14 and had since enjoyed steady electricity supply.
He said traders no longer needed to depend on individual petrol or diesel generators, adding that customers had been metered.
“With the constant electricity supply from Aba Power, we can now work throughout the day. This has increased the productivity of our members,” Onyebuchi said.
Although some traders consider the electricity tariff high, he maintained that it was preferable to the substantial sums previously spent on fuel.
He said the traders were willing to support the company in sustaining the improved service.
Households are also reporting benefits, particularly in food preservation and the management of domestic expenses.
Mrs Ada-Ngizi Greg-Ilobinso, a teacher and mother, said steady electricity had enabled her to buy food in bulk, preserve it in a freezer and reduce the frequency of shopping trips.
“Aba Power has really affected my life positively in so many ways. As a mother and a wife, and also as a housekeeper, a house manager, if I may say, it has really helped me because now we have steady light,” she said.
Despite the reported gains, the long-term impact of the project will depend on the consistency and affordability of supply, as well as the company’s ability to extend reliable electricity to more communities and businesses.
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