By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s power sector, securing the endorsement of all 31 Local Government Area Chairmen.
The governor made this known during a high-level meeting held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, where members of the State Executive Council, LGA Chairmen, and technical experts gathered to review progress from the September 2025 Power Summit and advance ongoing sector reforms.
Governor Eno stated that the state remains firmly on course in implementing its electricity roadmap, emphasizing that achieving stable and sustainable power requires a deliberate, coordinated, and phased approach. He noted that several strategic steps already taken would soon begin to yield visible results, urging stakeholders to remain patient and supportive.
He commended the LGA Chairmen for their collaboration, describing the alignment between state and local governments as a critical driver of successful implementation. According to him, inclusive governance and shared responsibility will be key to delivering reliable electricity across the state.
Providing updates after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, confirmed that the State Electricity Regulatory Commission has been established. He added that commissioner nominees will soon be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
Umanah also clarified that the government is not considering the outright sale of Ibom Power Company, but is instead exploring a concession model that would retain public ownership while leveraging private sector investment and efficiency.
Offering technical insight, the state’s power consultant, Eyo Ekpo, highlighted Akwa Ibom’s unique position in Nigeria’s electricity landscape. He noted that the state is one of only two to have developed a grid-connected power plant since 1999 and remains the only one to have retained ownership of its 191-megawatt facility.
Ekpo explained that the reform process has followed a structured and legally grounded approach, guided by policy clarity and disciplined execution. He revealed that Ibom Electricity Holding Limited has been incorporated to manage the state’s electricity assets, including its interests in generation and distribution.
As part of efforts to expand access, particularly in rural communities, the government is also considering temporary off-grid solar solutions to provide immediate relief to unserved households while long-term grid improvements continue.
To accelerate implementation, the governor announced the constitution of a seven-member committee led by Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor, Aniefiok Johnson. The committee includes key government officials and local government representatives and has been given a two-week deadline to submit its report.
The meeting marks a significant step in Akwa Ibom’s broader strategy to transition from power availability to reliability, positioning the state for improved service delivery, economic growth, and increased investor confidence.
