President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to commission the Aba Power Plant in Abia State on February 24 so that it may begin full operations.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, made the announcement at Government House in Umuahia while updating the press on the results of the week’s Exco meeting.
Kanu stated that commissioning Geometric Power Plant, the parent firm of Aba Power Plant, will be a dream come true for Geometrics and the 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 Commisioner said the realization of 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, 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.”
On security, Kanu said efforts were on to enhance security around Umunneochi through the construction of a perimeter fence for the Lokpanta market which he said will remain operational as a daily market.
He added 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.
He disclosed that renovation of three model schools selected in each of the three senatorial zones of the state are ongoing, adding that Government has directed principals and head teachers of public schools to refrain from renting out their premises for various events.
He equally warned heads of private schools in the state that were shut down by Government against reopening them without clearance from relevant Government officials.
“It has also come to the notice of the state government that some principals of 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.”
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 had salary issues with the previous administration that it would soon be attended to as a meeting had been held in that regard.
Uche informed that government was conducting needs assessment with a view to employing more science teachers and others of key subjects for state schools.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije who spoke on the proposed Arungwa Trailer Park, said the project was meant to decongest traffic around Osisioma roundabout, Umuika junction and Owerinta bridge areas as well as generate revenue for the State.
He insisted it has nothing to do with RUGA as alleged, emphasizing that, “It is a standard trailer park, it is not a settlement. It is a place of business.”