Akwa Ibom Will Enjoy 24-hr Electricity By 2021- Info Comm 

Residents of Akwa Ibom state will soon enjoy uninterrupted power supply which will not only enhance their living standard but also boost their businesses.

This was disclosed by Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Sir Charles Udoh during an exclusive interview with Editors of the Crystal Express Newspapers in his office.

According to the Commissioner, power has remained a very big challenge to Nigerians but the Akwa Ibom state government has striven in the last four years to tremendously improve the power sector in the State.

The Commissioner explained that the solution to the perennial power problem confronting the State lies in dismantling the monopoly enjoyed by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) through decentralising the franchise for transmission of power to willing states like Akwa Ibom.

This in his opinion will enable the State government effectively ensure total electricity coverage of the State stressing that only forty out of one hundred percent power generated by Ibom power plant are being evacuated by Transmission company of Nigeria.

In his words, “Don’t forget that the previous administrations set up the Ibom Power Plant but the challenges of power may never really be solved until we have the power of distribution which is still solely in the hands of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). In the case of Ibom Power Plant, the TCN has only been able to evacuate only 40 per cent of the electricity generated with 60per cent laying fallow. So we still have a long way to go. If they evacuate 100 per cent everybody will have light in the state”.

As a way out, Sir Charles udoh highlighted that Governor Udom Emmanuel told the Vice President during his last visit of plans by the state to apply and get her own distribution company.

“If politics will allow us get the licences then there will be 24 hour light in Akwa ibom”.

However according to the state Information Boss “There have been improved electricity since the governor installed the injector substation in Uyo on July 2017; the one at Ekim, Mkpat Enin is serving the State. The one around the airport will soon be connected to the national grid. Regrettably the airport has been functioning on generator until now.

“All these are what government is doing to achieve the dream of ensuring sufficient power for all”.

“If we are in-charge of distribution of power, we will assure Akwa Ibom people of at least not less than 20 hours of electricity every day; that is if we get the licence. This is what has given us confidence to say that by 2021 there will be 24 hours power in every household in Akwa Ibom. We believe it is achievable for every household to have all round electricity by 2021 in Akwa Ibom once the federal government allows us to have our own Transmission Company. He intoned.