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HomeBusinessUDOM'S 'POWER FOR ALL' WILL RELOCATE INDUSTRIES TO A'IBOM - ETIDO INYANG

UDOM’S ‘POWER FOR ALL’ WILL RELOCATE INDUSTRIES TO A’IBOM – ETIDO INYANG

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s monumental strides in the power sector have been lauded for the umpteenth time with a strong assertion that industries in other states of the federation will either relocate or create major outlets in Akwa Ibom by the time the governor’s vision is accomplished.
This viewpoint was given by the Chairman, Board of Directors, Ibom Power Company, Engr. Etido Inyang recently.

Speaking in an interview in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, Inyang described Governor Emmanuel’s effort in the sector as the best in the country and hailed his ‘Power For All’ Initiative. The PFA seeks to ensure quality, uninterrupted and affordable power for all households in Akwa Ibom State. One of the ways towards achieving this is through ‘4P’, a consortium of four state governments with a private company steering its affairs and also the federal government.

He said a comparison with power situation in other states will further deepen appreciation for the governor’s efforts and achievements.
Disclosing that production of meters have intensified, the chairman however added that government is working on its mass availability and affordability as the other three states that make up the Four Power Consortium are also on queue for the product. According to him, the minor delay was because the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) needed to come up with a policy that governs the provision of meters.
‘That has been done. Rules have been set, standards have been established on how this should be done. The metering factory in Akwa Ibom is fully aware of that and it is also being controlled by INCOM Electric, owners of PHEDC’.

He stated that the cost of meters is regulated. But if subsidized, then there will be an agreement where a power consumer can pay over a duration period with probably an extra cost of a thousand naira because of the leverage given. ‘But this is just a model and probabilities. It will become clearer in the next few weeks when interpretation of the policies will be done,’ he added.

Fielding questions on unsatisfactory power supply by the distribution company, Inyang said an explanation from PHEDC indicate that sometimes, power is distributed but a fault in transformer or lines network could hinder it from getting to the consumer and that such situations are not quickly reported. The chairman however acknowledged that PHEDC response to many of such complaints is not generally swift, adding that Ibom Power Board has consistently engaged the company on improving its services.

On the rumour that Akwa Ibom electricity consumers are billed highest, Engr. Inyang stated that it is not right for PHEDC to over bill Akwa Ibom consumers but maintained that the issue of indiscriminate billing can only be resolved with the metering of homes and buildings. ‘This is why Governor Emmanuel is passionate about metering every home in Akwa Ibom to make make life bearable and better for citizens’.

Emphasising communal push to complement government efforts in curbing power infrastructure vandalism, he appealed to youth of communities to constitute themselves into vigilante to deter the operations of criminal elements both from within and outside. He also called on individuals to be watchful and report suspicious movements of persons in their communities.
He hinted that the Board is working on anti-vandalism bill to be sent to Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. ‘We have talked to the Senate Committee on Power. We are also interfacing with the House of Representative Committee on Power’.

Disclosing the reason why the Board is unable to meet yet its target of launching IP into phase two, the board chairman stated that the federal government is delaying that possibility as it has since stopped signing Power Purchase Agreement.
‘We are planning a lot, discussing with investors but we cannot really move forward quickly as we should because of PPA situation. The Federal Government has issues with it. The PPA is like a guarantee, a sovereign guarantee. No investor can come in with funds without securing a PPA’. He however assured that once federal government begins the re-issuance of PPA, it will fast track the phase two of Ibom Power.

To continue enjoying improved power situation and other many benefits, Engr. Inyang advised Akwa Ibom people to secure their PVC and vote Governor Emmanuel again in 2019, saying he remains clearly the best to run the affairs of the state.

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