Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency in the power sector, underscoring the importance of stable electricity in fostering economic progress under his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Speaking during the EXCO Ministerial Briefing and End-of-Year Review at Government House, Uyo, the governor stressed that reliable power is crucial for achieving the state’s development objectives. He also unveiled plans to convene a Power Summit between January and March 2025 to address the challenges in the sector. As part of these efforts, a Power Infrastructure Committee will be established to provide actionable solutions.
Governor Eno expressed dismay over the state’s N40 billion debt to Acugas, the company supplying gas to the Ibom Power Plant. He criticised the actions of the plant’s former Managing Director, Engr Meyen Etukudo, who was recently dismissed for publicly blaming Acugas for power outages.
“We owe the gas company N40 billion, equivalent to 7.9 million dollars, and the former MD made public statements accusing them of cutting off power,” the governor said. “Imagine if we had reckless youths; that company could have been attacked. Instead of blaming them publicly, we should have negotiated or sought an amicable resolution.”
Governor Eno further highlighted operational lapses at the Ibom Power Plant, pointing out that the sacked MD had irresponsibly handed over control of the plant to a contractor during his leave. “An MD going on leave and transferring authority to a contractor is unacceptable,” Eno remarked. “It’s like giving your car to a mechanic and saying, ‘If there’s an issue, let me know.’ Naturally, problems will arise because the mechanic needs to make money.”
To address these challenges, the governor announced plans to establish a Power Infrastructure Committee that will work alongside the Commissioner for Power and other stakeholders. The proposed Power Summit, scheduled between January and March 2025, will outline strategies to resolve the issues and enhance the sector’s efficiency.
Governor Eno reaffirmed his commitment to providing uninterrupted electricity to drive the state’s economic growth. He commended the efforts of the Commissioner for Power, Engr Camillus Umoh, for initiating reforms at the Ibom Power Company and expressed optimism about achieving the state’s energy goals.
Stakeholders, including Chief Nduese Essien, Chief Sunny Udom, Rt. Hon. Peter Linus Umoh, and HRM Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, lauded the governor’s approach to governance. They applauded the stakeholders’ briefing as a groundbreaking initiative, praising his dedication to transparency and accountability in managing the state’s affairs.
