IGBERE (Abia) — President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday (today), commissioned the Ariaria International Market Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Aba, Abia State, Igbere TV reports.
In the event monitored live by Igbere TV, the president, while addressing guests, said his administration identified that decentralized power supply was a critical part of the power sector recovery programme to serve the citizens with constant power supply.
He said the Ariaria Independent Power Project is part of the Energizing Economies Initiative developed to increase energy access and economic growth by assisting private sector developers to provide clean, reliable and affordable power to economic clusters, such as markets, shopping complexes and agricultural/industrial clusters.
The President also told the people of Aba that his administration will continue to execute people-oriented projects around the country irrespective of party differences.
President Buhari, while speaking further, disclosed that over the next 4-5 years, his administration’s aim is to reach 500,000 small businesses within 350 economic clusters.
He pledged his administration’s commitment to continually promote made in Nigeria goods.
The President expressed delight that 37,000 shops belonging to traders and small business owners in Ariara market will, one after the other, be connected to the dedicated electricity supply.
He noted that the feat will strengthen the Made-in-Nigeria policy for which Abia and in particular, Aba, and Ariaria market are already well known.
According to Buhari, ‘‘I am pleased to be here today at the milestone connection of 4,000 shops that now have dedicated power.
‘‘Being a market that supplies shoes, bags, clothing, trunks and many household accessories to Nigeria, many African countries like Chad, Cameroun, Gambia and Central Africa Republic, reliable power supply is critical for ease of doing business to ensure sustainability and improvement.
‘‘I am told that before this intervention, traders in the market only got 4 hours a day of electricity and paid exorbitantly for it, which consequently affected the viability of many businesses.
‘‘This is the sad legacy we inherited but which we are replacing with an all-day power supply that is cleaner and better for our environment.
‘‘Those who turned their backs on these problems still have the courage to campaign about unemployment and poverty,’’ he said.
The President told delighted traders and businessmen, who trooped out en masse to welcome him to Aba, that the APC-led administration is creating jobs for Nigerians through investments in power projects like the IPP in Ariaria.
‘‘What is happening in Ariaria today by way of clean, independent and reliable power to markets and small businesses is happening in Kano, Lagos, Ondo and Ibadan.
‘‘Similar initiatives have started in nine Federal universities with a plan to cover 37 universities, through Government funding,’’ he said.
While saluting the traders for their fortitude over the years when no previous government attended to their concerns, the President declared: ‘‘Methodically, slowly, but very efficiently, we are cleaning up the mess.
“We are moving our economy away from rent and arbitrage and heading resolutely to building an economy that rewards investments, enterprise and hard work.’’
Buhari assured business owners in Ariara that under his watch they will continue to experience better days and prosperity as African markets await more of Made-in-Aba products.
Earlier on his arrival in Aba, the President had paid homage to Enyi 1 of Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne before attending the APC presidential campaign rally at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.
(IGBERE TV)
