Buhari inaugurates Ariaria power plant, says ‘electricity has no political colour’

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will continue to inaugurate completed projects nationwide irrespective of party differences.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, Buhari said this during the inauguration of the Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Ariaria market in Aba, Abia state.

The president, who has been accused of having no original project and only inaugurating and taking glory for the projects initiated by the previous administrations, said “electricity has no political colour”

Buhari said his administration will continue to execute people-oriented projects around the country irrespective of party differences.

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 said the feat will strengthen the Made-in-Nigeria policy.

‘‘I am pleased to be here today at the milestone connection of 4,000 shops that now have dedicated power,” Buhari said.

‘‘Today with policies and programmes such as this IPP we have demonstrated that if the common good is our mutual objective, it can be achieved irrespective party differences and constitutional limitations.

‘‘Electricity has no political colour. 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. 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.’’