Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has announced the readiness of his administration to unbundle Abak-Ika-Etim Ekpo electricity line to improve power supply for consumers in the local government areas, while cautioning the people of the area to desist from vandalism on electricity installations.
Governnor Emmanuel has also assured that his government would build a substation in Etim Ekpo to separate the transmission lines for the three sister local government areas and provide better power supply to consumers.
The Governor, who stated this while performing the official opening of an Abak-based radio station, Redemption 101.5 FM at Oku Abak, Friday, also directed that Oku Abak be included as one of the beneficiaries of the World Bank solar power programme for villages in the state.
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Decrying the high rates of vandalism along the Abak-Ika-Etim Ekpo power line, the governor said monies invested into power in the area have not yielded desired results due to activities of vandals, adding that any act of vandalism on any high-tension line in along the line affects the three LGAs, hence the need to separate the line.
“Not that we don’t put money in this line but when we put money in this line, the rate of vandalism in this area is one of the highest in the state and unfortunately Abak line takes straight from Abak to Ika and Etim Ekpo, so if people in Ika or Etim Ekpo vandalize their high tension, it will affect Abak immediately”, Governor Emmanuel said.
He congratulated the Chairman and Chief Executive of Redemption FM, Professor Ahaziah Umanah, and his management team for nurturing the vision of the radio station to reality and promised government’s support for the station.
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He assured the management of new media outfit of access road to the facility, as he directed that Redemption FM be included among radio stations on state government retainership.
The governor used the occasion to urge media houses in the state to serve as a vehicle for propagation of positive lifestyles in the state.
“I really want to congratulate you and your entire management team and the Christian body for coming up with this. I want to say here that the government will support you to a great extent.
“I’m sure the virtues and traits that will be propagated through this radio station will help the state a whole lot and also help to redeem the state of the moral decadence experienced across the globe”
“On road, what I can promise is that I will do my best and trust me, my best will be good enough. Even if I don’t do to your standard, I’ll make sure that people can drive in, while we tackle the power issue, because power is what you need most at the moment” the Governor said.
Setting the tone, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, expressed optimism that Redemption FM, will stand up to the meaning of its name to redeem and promote deteriorating media culture and social values, educate the public on standard usage of the English language and save the Akwa Ibom local languages from extinction.
The proprietor of the station, Professor Ahaziah Umanah in his welcome address, thanked the Governor for honouring the invitation to perform the official opening of the broadcast station.
This, he said, would remain evergreen in the hearts of the members of the media organisation and the entire Abak people.
Umanah said the vision of the radio station was conceived in 1995, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) approval secured in July 2015, but due to some constraints, test broadcast could not begin until November 2020. He expressed gratitude that the vision could be actualized in the era of Governor Emmanuel’s Godly administration.
The Managing Director of Redemption FM, Comfort Umanah, in her vote of thanks, said she felt fulfilled that after being given the opportunity to serve as Director of Information in the State, the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, still honoured the invitation to launch the radio station.
The Governor, later featured in a live interview programme to officially marked the commencement of broadcast on the frequency.
