Abia State Government sets to commission its flagship generating plant, Geometric Power Generation Company in Aba on the 24th of February, 2024 to boost power generation and make business thrive in Aba and environs, this was disclosed by Engr. Prof. Joel Friday Ogbonna, FNSE the Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum, Energy and Solid Minerals to the Nigerian Society of Engineers Umuahia Branch, who paid a courtesy/familiarization visit to his office.
NSE members led by their Chairman Engr. Romanus Enyinnaya appealed for opportunities to partner with the Ministry to rapidly develop Energy and Solid Minerals and its allied industries in Abia State.
He pledged that the society of engineers has all it takes in professionalism to render consultants, and technical service to the Ministry.
Engr. Enyinnaya also called for a collaboration between the Ministry, COREN and NSE Umuahia branch on the revitalization of the solid minerals industries in the state; and on project and engineering personnel monitoring, engineering deliverables authentication and supervision to ensure total compliance and adherence to standard and specifications.
His words, “We are here to felicitate with you on your appointment and as well to show support to the government on the aggressive approach the government is taking in developing the State petroleum and solid mineral sector, which was shown in the development of modular refinery at the Abia Industrial Innovation Park, Owaza, the first of its kind.
“We as a body call on the government to revitalize the solid minerals industries within the state such as the modern ceramics company, checkmate and control mining and dredging activities around the state, to avoid negative environmental impact on locals and their livelihood.”
The NSE boss who harped on the need to increase the human capacity of the engineering professionals within the State Civil Service and the state in general, maintained that involving the Engineers in the provision of some services to the State Government, would create a window of encouraging local content and growing the capacity within the Society and the state.
Contributing, Engr. Mathew Ibeh and Engr. Victor Ihediwa FNSE, former chairman of the branch, called for the employment of professional engineers especially their members into the engineering service department of the Ministry and also proper placement of engineering staff and prioritizing their welfare and benefits.
They passionately called for issues surrounding the reopening of Modern ceramics be resolved so that Industry which once supplied raw materials to Royal ceramics, Kogi state would bounce back and provide more employment opportunities for the teeming citizens.
They informed the Commissioner that Umuahia has one of the best kaolin clay across the federation.
Responding, Prof. Engr. Joel Friday Ogbonna, FNSE the Commissioner for Petroleum, Energy and Solid Minerals Abia State, announced that the state has about 7 solid minerals and that the Ministry is on the process of conducting an investment profile survey; identifying its location and all relevant characteristics.
The Commissioner who assured the NSE of open doors and support, expressed the present administration’s preparedness to change the narrative, which include forming a Committee that will work on the identified solid minerals, and improve on it, to create more employment opportunities in the state.
