ABA (ABIA)- President Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated the Combined Cycle Power Station owned by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
Jonathan said during the ceremony in Umuobasiukwu, Alaiyi in Aba, that the second phase of the Alaoji Power project in Aba, Abia, would soon be completed.
“Power is key to development. Without power, micro, small and medium enterprises cannot do well. That is the focus of this administration.
“For small businesses to survive, they need power. If small businesses generate their own power, their returns will be quite minimal and their turn-over will be too low.
“That is why we are totally committed and we promise you that the second phase of this project will be completed.”
He said that he refused to abandon the project which suffered a hitch at a point in its construction in 2009, because he wanted to ensure that Nigerians were provided with adequate power to run their businesses.
He thanked the people of Umuobasiukwu, Alaiyi, for providing the land on which the project was situated and for supporting the work of the construction company.
The president later cut the tape to inaugurate the 504-megawatt power plant constructed by Rockson Engineering limited.
In his speech, Governor Chief Theodore Orji of Abia thanked the president for locating the project in the state and for helping the state to overcome the challenge of kidnapping which almost crippled the work.
He said that the inauguration of the power plant would remain indelible in the minds of Abia people and urged the president to help build the housing estate for the plant’s staff.