IGBOEZUE Cultural Association Wednesday took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan over the non-commissioning of the Geometric Power Plant at Osisioma-Ngwa, Abia state.

The project popularly called “Alaoji Power Plant” is the only completed Private, Public Partnership (PPP)power project completed over a year ago that is yet to be commissioned or made available for public use.

Igboezue, through its founder, Chief Chekwas Okorie, described the non-commissioning as “the worst form of marginalisation of Ndigbo in recent times”.

Okorie, in a statement wondered why President Jonathan, whom Ndigbo voted massively for in the last presidential election, would allow the level of degrading of the psyche of Ndigbo by not putting to use, the power plant which was completed over a year ago by the Geometric Power Company Ltd.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over the decrepit state of federal roads in the south east, particularly the Enugu – Port Harcourt and Enugu – Onitsha expressways, stressing that rather than show commitment on getting the roads reconstructed, government was playing politics and deceiving people, while several people die daily on these roads.

The body wondered why Ndigbo should again trust and vote for Jonathan since he could allow several industries in the south east and Aba in particular to be shut down due to non-putting to use of the Power Plant and non-repair of the roads.

Said Chief Okorie: “The case of the non-commissioning of the Osisioma Power Plant covering Aba/Ariaria Business District is an intriguing executive action that bothers on callousness, insensitivity and extreme marginalization taken too far.

“We are aware that the PDP Federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo concessioned the Osisioma Power Project to Geometrics Power Plant. This project covers 9 Local Government Areas in Abia State, otherwise referred to as Aba/Ariaria Business District.

“Geometrics with dedication and commitment to make its contribution to the solution to the nagging electricity supply in Nigeria embarked on the project without delay. They invited technical partners and raised necessary funds from financial institutions to execute the laudable project. The completed project was to be commissioned for electricity supply to the area in October 2013.

“The general public, especially the enterprising and long-suffering business men and women who live and do their businesses in the area under reference waited and prayed for the day they would begin to enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply year in year out but this day is yet to come as a result of mindless and most unpatriotic political intrigue that has been playing out under the very watch of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the apostle of Transformation Agenda.

“We are aware that at the completion of the Osisioma Power Project, various investors had sunk over $500,000,000.00 and for the over one year the completed project had remained dormant, Geometrics has been incurring interest cost of the fund borrowed to the tune of about $3,000,000.00 every month.

“We are also aware that contrary to the agreement entered into by Geometrics and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, a new set of greedy, wicked and selfish persons in high places halted the commissioning of the Power Plant and proceeded to concessioning the whole of the South East to a new company, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC, in a very spurious and dubious privatization arrangement that has the implication of transferring the huge investment of Geometrics to the new company (Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC.)”.

He wondered why the entreaties made by Ndigbo Lagos, led by Prof. Anya O. Anya and another group of eminent Igbo leaders, mostly of the PDP extraction, led by Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Garry Enwo-Igariwey, to President Jonathan, failed to yield any positive result.

http://theadvocatengr.com/new/commission-geometrics-power-plant-at-osisioma-ngwa-or-igboezue/

dats good.
Jonathan falling people hand since 2000 and God know when

@Abagworo, why posting this stale news again?

Just little modifications and get it posted

Dede nne leyi, were di ya nwayo.

Asim ma juo gi ma o di i jagi aja?

This is very disheatening. Vice president Sambo and Emeka offor are behind this. SE leaders should force jonathans hands on this very project.

this geometric issue is very annoying to be honest.

GEJ should exact authority on this matter becos it is a focal point of grievance for Ndiigbo.

Descartes:
@Abagworo, why posting this stale news again?

Dede nne leyi, were di ya nwayo.

Asim ma juo gi ma o di i jagi aja?

How is this news stale? Geometric was the 1st private power plant and it was permited by Obasanjo Government in its quest to improve power. It is quite disheartening that after borrowing to fund and complete this project, it has been deliberately shut out while Nigeria continues to import generators. Industries in Aba running at loss because of amount spent on generators.

Definitely Op and his Techno Crew have something up their sleeves

If Geometric feels they're right, they should head to court. Nothing stops Prof Bath Nnaji from going to court.

Geometrics power plant is a purely business and not a political issue.

Is there any solid reason why Jonathan has refused to commission the project? I don't think so.
Chekwas Okorie, chukwu gozie gi. Please keep drumming it into the ears of other Igbo leaders who have sold their conscience for a plate of ofe onugbu and loi-loi to Jonathan.

This is why some people don't want one Nigeria, precisely becos it is dragging them back or holding them down.


Just tell us why somebody should build a power station that is fully operational and one mallam from Niger Republic will team up with a local big fool to make sure it never serves the people it was built to serve, costing us industries and businesses?


How long can u hold a people down and urself down? As for Emeka Offor, he will never be the only billionaire in the east if that is his problem. He cannot be the only innovator we have, never.

signz:
If Geometric feels they're right, they should head to court. Nothing stops Prof Bath Nnaji from going to court.

Prof. Nnaji is just trying to whip up sentiments

Abagworo and his paymasters are trying to play smart on their divide and rule tactics.

Anambra vs Abia

Collynzo9:
Geometrics power plant is a purely business and not a political issue.

Thank you

Collynzo9:
Geometrics power plant is a purely business and not a political issue.

And we want that business to thrive...

waternogetemeny:



And we want that business to thrive...

Then those involved should do the right thing.
Barth Nnaji knows that he cannot generate and disitribute at the same time. It is just like Ibeto refusing to follow due process in buying up that Ebonyi cement company, he expects it to be handed over to him on a platter of gold simply because he is a brother.
It doesn't always work like that, they should learn to do the right thing instead of soliciting public sympathyl

Collynzo9:

Then those involved should do the right thing.
Barth Nnaji knows that he cannot generate and disitribute at the same time. It is just like Ibeto refusing to follow due process in buying up that Ebonyi cement company, he expects it to be handed over to him on a platter of gold simply because he is a brother.
It doesn't always work like that, they should learn to do the right thing instead of soliciting public sympathyl

Forget all this politics of division you people are bring to the southeast from your base in abuja, kano and lagos.

It is very cowardly for a person like Emeka Offor to play the role of a lion in the house but a pussycat to sambo and northern oligarchy.

Barth has done his fair share in providing much need electricity, whether he can generate or distribute is irrelevant. What is relevant here is getting the right structure/framework for delivery.

As for Ibeto, are Ebonyi better or worst without a viable operational cement industry? I think they are worst off. Ndiigbo really need patient person becos u lot are so daft and annoying...omg!

Must it be commissioned before being used I think they should work together and leave politics out of it.

Abagworo:
IGBOEZUE Cultural
Okorie, in a statement wondered why President Jonathan, whom Ndigbo voted massively for in the last presidential election, would allow the level of degrading of the psyche of Ndigbo by not putting to use, the power plant which was completed over a year ago by the Geometric Power Company Ltd.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over the decrepit state of federal roads in the south east, particularly the Enugu – Port Harcourt and Enugu – Onitsha expressways, stressing that rather than show commitment on getting the roads reconstructed, government was playing politics and deceiving people, while several people die daily on these roads.
http://theadvocatengr.com/new/commission-geometrics-power-plant-at-osisioma-ngwa-or-igboezue/

Only last week, the Plateau state PDP expressed similar disappointment at the way GEJ's administration has failed to deliver in the state; he has not made any developmental impact in the state, despite the fact that the state voted overwhelmingly for him, just like the SS/SE:

Jerry24kay:
The chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, elders in Plateau State, a group tagged Equity and Justice Forum, Dakun Shun, has said citizens of the state are yet to feel President Goodluck Jonathan’s impact despite their one million votes for him in 2011.

“We call on Mr. President and the national chairman and executives of our party not to take PDP’s victory in Plateau State for granted,” Mr. Shun said. “The people who gave Mr. President a million votes are crying out in pain and anguish. Do not ignore them otherwise the consequences could be disastrous.”

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/172004-plateau-yet-feel-jonathans-impact-despite-1-million-votes-2011-pdp-chieftain.html

The 15 years of PDP's misrule has only benefited the thieving elite (from all the regions and ethnic groups), making some of them super-billionnaires, while the vast majority of the people (from all the regions and ethnic groups) languish in abject poverty.

We have also seen the story and pictures last week of some hungry-looking people from GEJ's hometown (Otuoke) pitiably queuing and scrambling for a free bag of rice.

There was also this pathetic image of a woman wearing a PDP wrapper but at the same time fetching water from a filthy stagnant source that even an animal that is well catered for would not be allowed to drink from!.

Lesson: a corrupt and incompetent government does no good to anyone!. Instead, we ALL pay a heavy price for its incompetence and embezzlement of the resources that would have otherwise been harnessed and used for the benefits of all.

Descartes:


Prof. Nnaji is just trying to whip up sentiments

Abagworo and his paymasters are trying to play smart on their divide and rule tactics.

Anambra vs Abia

You and other Igbos that dont understand our plights under Jonathan are part of the problem. Excuses and imaginary tribalism is so much planted in your head. Obasanjo took a bold step and that Geometric is the only truly private power plant in Nigeria. The rest are just Government power plants transferred to cronies in deceitful deals which have left virtually all of them uneffective. Geometric has been completed with its transmission lines installed and ready to supply the entire Aba area. The agreement before the huge investment was and is still clear. The truth is that there is deliberate attempt to frustrate Nnaji. Even his brief stay in power witnessed remarkable improvement only for things to get worse after he was pushed out. You people need to get off that tribal and religious bigotism and join hands with well meaning Nigerians to move our Nation foward.

Abagworo:


You and other Igbos that dont understand our plights under Jonathan are part of the problem. Excuses and imaginary tribalism is so much planted in your head. Obasanjo took a bold step and that Geometric is the only truly private power plant in Nigeria. The rest are just Government power plants transferred to cronies in deceitful deals which have left virtually all of them uneffective. Geometric has been completed with its transmission lines installed and ready to supply the entire Aba area. The agreement before the huge investment was and is still clear. The truth is that there is deliberate attempt to frustrate Nnaji. Even his brief stay in power witnessed remarkable improvement only for things to get worse after he was pushed out. You people need to get off that tribal and religious bigotism and join hands with well meaning Nigerians to move our Nation foward.

I wish we could ALL be this reasonable and do the part in bold, for the sake of the present and future generations!

Abagworo:


Excuses and imaginary tribalism is so much planted in your head.

Utopian and unrealistic comment.

waternogetemeny:


Forget all this politics of division you people are bring to the southeast from your base in abuja, kano and lagos.

It is very cowardly for a person like Emeka Offor to play the role of a lion in the house but a pussycat to sambo and northern oligarchy.

Barth has done his fair share in providing much need electricity, whether he can generate or distribute is irrelevant. What is relevant here is getting the right structure/framework for delivery.

As for Ibeto, are Ebonyi better or worst without a viable operational cement industry? I think they are worst off. Ndiigbo really need patient person becos u lot are so daft and annoying...omg!

for god sake, for once take responsible for your actions. is not everything you blame the north or south west, the minister of power is igbo, the president is ijaw, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission MD is igbo Energy Commission of Nigeria MD is igbo, PHCN transitional chairman is igbo and with all this you guys are still blaming the hausas for your woos

abbakacici:
for god sake, for once take responsible for your actions. is not everything you blame the north or south west, the minister of power is igbo, the president is ijaw, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission MD is igbo Energy Commission of Nigeria MD is igbo, PHCN transitional chairman is igbo and with all this you guys are still blaming the hausas for your woos

Point of correction Namadi Sambo to be precise and his cohort Emeka Offor

Collynzo9:

Then those involved should do the right thing.
Barth Nnaji knows that he cannot generate and disitribute at the same time. It is just like Ibeto refusing to follow due process in buying up that Ebonyi cement company, he expects it to be handed over to him on a platter of gold simply because he is a brother.
It doesn't always work like that, they should learn to do the right thing instead of soliciting public sympathyl

What exactly do you mean by Barth cannot generate and distribute at the sametime? A company like Geometric has stake holders that can finance both generation and delivery of electricity. All this delays only affect businesses and increase unemployment in the east. It is not helping biko nu.

Besides the project is a private venture and their is plenty of room for other competitors,, but you have to do the work yourselves rather than tell Nnaji wat and wat his company cannot do on their project.

Abagworo:
…
“We are also aware that contrary to the agreement entered into by Geometrics and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, a new set of greedy, wicked and selfish persons in high places halted the commissioning of the Power Plant and proceeded to concessioning the whole of the South East to a new company, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC, in a very spurious and dubious privatization arrangement that has the implication of transferring the huge investment of Geometrics to the new company (Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC.)”.
…

1. Is “Alaoji Power Plant” a power plant or a distribution company because I don’t understand how a power plant can be concessioned to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC.

2. Assuming, everything was indeed consessioned to Enugu Electricity Disco, what type of agreement was in place before Geometrics developed their power plant?

3. Did Geometrics participate in the PHCN privatization bid?

4. Why is Geometrics not going to court, especially, since there was an agreement between Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and Geometrics? My guess is that the govt will claim PHCN is no longer in existence but what about their outstanding obligations?

Here’s another reason why investing long term in Nigeria scares me - if you’re not in bed with the government of the day, you’re royally screwed!

Calculia:


What exactly do you mean by Barth cannot generate and distribute at the sametime? A company like Geometric has stake holders that can finance both generation and delivery of electricity. All this delays only affect businesses and increase unemployment in the east. It is not helping biko nu.

Besides the project is a private venture and their is plenty of room for other competitors,, but you have to do the work yourselves rather than tell Nnaji wat and wat his company cannot do on their project.

If Geometrics is simply generating power, why not contract with the government to pump X megawatts into the grid at a certain price per megawatt? It is not as if we have more power supply than we actually need.

Wallie:

If Geometrics is simply generating power, why not contract with the government to pump X megawatts into the grid at a certain price per megawatt? It is not as if we have more power supply than we actually need.

The arrangement for sufficient power is already finalized the issue here is electric power distribution. Other players want to cash in on that level. Thus telling him that he cannot generate and distribute. This is a private venture that has investors and stakeholders, u cannot tell people the limits to invest on a project that have already received approval. This is the issue.

the level of wickedness in Nigeria can make even the devil green with envy, smh.


but why are ndigbo always complaining sef? when will this complaint end?
if you want something, stop complaining and just take it.
its getting too boring tbh.

if jonathan is sitting down on a project that should help igbo land
why should any sane igbo vote for him in 2015?

Wallie:


1. Is “Alaoji Power Plant” a power plant or a distribution company because I don’t understand how a power plant can be concessioned to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC.

2. Assuming, everything was indeed consessioned to Enugu Electricity Disco, what type of agreement was in place before Geometrics developed their power plant?

3. Did Geometrics participate in the PHCN privatization bid?

4. Why is Geometrics not going to court, especially, since there was an agreement between Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and Geometrics? My guess is that the govt will claim PHCN is no longer in existence but what about their outstanding obligations?

Here’s another reason why investing long term in Nigeria scares me - if you’re not in bed with the government of the day, you’re royally screwed!

http://businessdayonline.com/2014/06/bpe-accepts-geometric-has-rights-to-aba-ariaria-ring-fenced/

BPE accepts Geometric has rights to
Aba-Ariaria ring-fenced
June 6, 2014 | Filed under: main story | Author: Frank
Uzuegbunam
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has finally responded to
BusinessDay reports on Geometric/Aba Power Limited with a
press statement that “Geometric Power/Aba Power Limited has a
subsisting contract with the Federal Government to generate,
transmit and distribute power in the Aba and Ariaria Districts of
Enugu Disco for 20 years”.
BPE, in the bid to “put the records straight”, said “there is a
Lease Agreement dated 28th April 2005 signed between the
Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), National Electric Power
Authority (NEPA) and Aba Power Limited (APL)”.
“This agreement is for the generation, transmission and
distribution of power to residential and commercial consumers
in Aba and Ariaria Districts that fall under Enugu Zone of NEPA
in Abia State. The said agreement which relates to the ring-
fenced area in Aba and Ariaria Districts was amended by
another Supplemental Agreement dated 31st August, 2006,” BPE
said in the statement.
BusinessDay in the past two months drew public attention to the
agreement between the Federal Government and Geometric
Power and exposed all the intrigues and artificial hurdles from
vested interests threatening to kill the 140-megawatt (MW)
project.
In its own reaction to the BusinessDay reports, Interstate
Electrics in an advertorial put the blame squarely on the
doorsteps of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and the
Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), inferring that BPE and NCP
should be held responsible for not delineating the Aba ring-
fenced area.
“In compliance with the EPSRA 2005, NEPA was unbundled into
18 successor companies. Since Aba and Ariaria Districts fall
under the Enugu Disco, the contracts between NEPA and APL
were inherited by Enugu Disco, in consonance with the
principles of succession of title. Thus, Interstate Electric is the
new landlord,” BPE said.
BusinessDay investigations reveal that prior to privatisation, BPE
indicated that Aba ring-fenced area was encumbered, yet it
included it in its bid, a move that was later tagged
“administrative error”, which created a scenario where the
leadership of the BPE consistently misled key government
officials and the public since they did not do the right thing at
the onset by excising the two business units in Aba to Aba
Power before offering the remaining 16 business units of Enugu
Disco to “their preferred bidder”.
An industry source told BusinessDay that the current BPE
management is also aware that after the 2006 Aba Supplemental
Lease Agreement was signed, in order to correct the error
regarding Enugu Disco prior to privatisation and ensure
compliance with the terms of the agreement, their predecessors
in the BPE under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration
registered Aba Distribution Company plc (Aba Disco) at the
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a 12th Disco, with the
Ministry of Finance and the BPE as shareholders.
Sources close to Geometric Power said “the company has
decided to focus on resolving the issue quietly, through the
president and key decision makers in the power sector, who
know the truth, and have visited the project sites and have all
recommended unequivocally that the terms of the lease
agreement should be fully implemented by the BPE”.
In a quick reaction to the BPE statement, George Ugwu, an
engineer and industry player, said, “It is interesting to note that
the release of BPE statement on Tuesday night was timed to pre-
empt the deliberations and outcome of the National Council on
Privatisation (NCP) Technical Committee meeting scheduled the
next day, June 4, 2014, at the instance of the vice president, and
as a follow-up to the meeting President Jonathan held a couple
of weeks ago with the top power sector government officials to
finally resolve the Aba ring-fence matter.”
He added that obviously, their goal was “to influence attendees
of the meeting who received copies of the BPE press statement
to support what they would erroneously perceive as
‘government’s’ position”.
Another industry source cynically commended the BPE for finally
accepting that there was indeed an agreement in place for
Geometric Power/Aba Power to generate, transmit and distribute
power in the Aba and Ariaria Districts of Enugu Disco for 20
years, but urged the bureau to guarantee equity and fairness by
ensuring that the sanctity of the lease agreement was respected
and maintained, as anything else would amount to
grandstanding and gross insensitivity to the long-suffering 2
million residents of Aba.