Kufre Etuk
On 11th March, 2018, during the 25th Power Sector Stakeholders’ Meeting in Nigeria held in Uyo, the then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, described Akwa Ibom State as a “power State”, considering the numerous investment carried out in the sector by the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel. Right from when the Governor took over the mantle of leadership in the state, he has demonstrated unflinching commitment and insatiable quest to ensure that Akwa Ibom State has steady power supply which is a cardinal attraction to investors.
In 2017, in his resolve to ensure steady power supply to Uyo, the state capital, Governor Udom Emmanuel commissioned a modern 3311KV, 2X15 MVA electricity injection sub-station with an assurance that his vision of industrialising Akwa Ibom State is on course.
“I said that our duty will be to put Akwa Ibom State in full industrialization. You cannot talk about industrialisation if you don’t give power to the people, you must create an enabling environment,” the governor once said.
The Governor recalled that his administration started by restoring power in some parts of Ini and Okobo Local Government Areas where there was no light for several years, and added that Ikot Abasi which main town will soon be visited with light. He said the power station in Uyo was his efforts at improving power supply in the state capital, maintaining that people the area connected to the line have already attested to the longer periods of power supply every day.
Another great feat recorded by the governor 20 years after the third 132/33kV transmission substation was constructed in Akwa Ibom State, was the construction of fourth 132/33kV, 2 x 60mva transmission substation at Ekim in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. While commissioning the project, the Vice President said with the prevailing peace and friendliness experienced in the state, it was obvious that investors coming to Nigeria would prefer to berth in Akwa Ibom first, especially with Ekim Power Plant in Mkpat Enin which would provide uninterrupted electricity in the state.
Osinbajo, however, advised international investors to see Nigeria as the best place to do business “because this is where the market is. The GDP of Lagos State is great than that Kenya and Ivory Coast put together.”
He congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel and the people of Akwa Ibom state even as he prayed God to bless the efforts of the state in their industrialisation drive.
Addressing the occasion, Gov Emmanuel said the flour mill was a fulfilment of one of his electoral promises made during the campaign since he had said he would make governance touch the lives of the people at the grassroots.
Emmanuel said the flour mill, which has the capacity to provide direct employment to 1,500 people, is the biggest in the South-South zone of the country.
He said the inauguration of another project, the digitized power substation at Ekim, Mkpan Enin LGA, also by the Vice President, would mark the launch of Power-for-All which would ensure that every household in the state had electricity by December 2021.
Meanwhile, speaking on the importance of the project, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Power to Governor Udom Emmanuel and Managing Director of Ibom Power Company Limited, Engr. Meyen Etukudo said Ekim substation, which will receive power directly from Ibom power plant will ensure 24hours power supply to five local government areas in Akwa Ibom State including Mkpat Enin, Onna, Eastern Obolo, Oruk Anam and the host community of Ibom power plant, Ikot Abasi.
The Governor’s Aide said, “Once this transformer is energized, it has the capacity to produce 48megawatts of power which is sufficient to provide steady and quality power supply to the state owned University and the industries within its axis such as the Metering Company, Flour Mills, Syringe factory, and coconut refinery”.
Engr. Etukudo said, “From this Saturday, when the substation commences full operation, there will be 24hrs power at this substation as long as Ibom power plant is generating”.
“If there is no power supply in the surrounding communities, it is not the fault of Ibom power or the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) rather Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) should be held responsible,” he said.
The Chairman of Ibom Power Company Limited, Engr. Etido Inyang appealed to PHEDC to ensure that the power made available at Ekim substation is distributed to the people.
“We are asking PHEDC for their cooperation. Akwa Ibom State Government in collaboration with TCN has built this substation to make power available in the state, let not this power stop at Ekim power substation, let it be taken to the people” the Chairman urged.
Looking at this great investment in the sector, Akwa Ibom people owe government the duty of protecting these infrastructure for continuous benefit of all.
