A gas leak and technical fault at an oil facility in Rivers State recently plunged parts of Aba and surrounding communities into darkness, halting operations at the 188MW Geometric Power Plant and disrupting electricity supply to thousands of residents.
The incident, described by engineers as a “process upset” at the Associated Gas Gathering (AGG) system operated by an indigenous oil and gas company, affected the flow of gas to Geometric’s turbines, forcing a three-day shutdown.
But on Monday night, relief swept through the city as the plant roared back to life.
“At exactly 9:02 p.m., one of our 47MW turbines came back online, delivering 25MW,” confirmed Engr. Dike Ejike, a mechanical engineer and power consultant. “By 11 a.m. the next day, we were generating 37.44MW. By 2 p.m., we had reached 39.5MW—and it’s still rising.”
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The restoration of gas supply by Heirs Energies, the operators of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17 and Geometric’s gas supplier, was swift and decisive. Their technical team worked round the clock, including over the Easter holiday weekend, to resolve the disruption and restore stability.
Their effort drew commendation from industry professionals, including Engr. Cliff Eneh, a Lagos-based energy consultant and former senior executive with the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). “What Heirs Energies did here is remarkable,” Eneh said. “Their team showed the kind of professionalism and urgency we usually expect from multinationals like Shell or ExxonMobil. That’s the standard—and they met it.”
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Now, power supply to nine local government areas in Abia State is rebounding. Geometric’s restored output, coupled with 25MW supplied by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), has brought available electricity in the Aba Ring-fenced Area to nearly 65MW.
“For residents, businesses, and industries that depend on steady power, this means a lot,” said Ejike. “The impact is immediate—machines are back on, homes have light, and productivity is returning.”
Beyond power restoration, the incident has spotlighted the potential of local engineers and the resilience of Nigerian-owned energy infrastructure.
“I’ve always said it—Nigerian engineers have what it takes,” said Eneh. “When given the right tools and trust, they can compete globally. This incident proves it.”
