‘Electricity has no political colour’ – President Buhari says as he commissions the Ariara Market Power Plant in Abia State

President Buhari today inaugurated the Ariara Market Independent Power Plant (IPP) in the commercial city of Aba, Abia State, with a pledge that his administration will continue to execute people-oriented projects around the country irrespective of party differences.

‘‘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,’’ the President said in his speech at the inauguration of the plant.

President Buhari 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.

‘‘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.