Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has unveiled a pathway to sustainable entry to electrical energy with plans to ascertain regulatory fee advertisements properly as an electrification company.
Talking on the closing ceremony of the electrical energy summit at 4 Factors by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, the governor mentioned the Akwa Ibom State Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (AKSERC) will present truthful tariffs, clear licensing, and unbiased oversight, whereas the Akwa Ibom State Electrification Company (AISEA) will ship electrical energy entry to cities, villages, and underserved communities.
Highlighting the priorities from the roadmap, he mentioned, “The boards of the above businesses shall be constituted within the subsequent one month. We’re clear that whereas our ambition is long-term, we should set the ball rolling instantly by establishing AKSERC and AISEA, staffed and educated to the very best requirements.
“Let me use this chance to ask Akwa Ibom folks with requisite technical {qualifications} and abilities to use for employment by way of our ARISE Employment Portal.
“I can’t stress sufficient the truth that that is purely an expert task and due to this fact has no political colouration. The recruitment train shall be performed transparently and solely those that are technically certified shall be taken.
“We’ll rehabilitate and instantly commercialise Ibom Energy Firm, elevate capital and begin its pressing rehabilitation, whereas additionally taking steps to ascertain the Akwa Ibom Electrical energy Distribution Firm and improve the State distribution community that it operates.
“We’ll launch the Akwa Ibom Electrical energy Market by licensing Ibom Energy Firm and the brand new Akwa Ibom State Electrical energy Distribution Firm, with Akwa Ibom holding majority shares,” he mentioned.
In line with him, the state will roll out the primary part of the State Electrification Plan, “bringing sustainable electrical energy entry to unserved and underserved communities; and publish and implement a Client Invoice of Rights which is able to guarantee truthful remedy for all customers, accountability by licensees, and safety of electrical energy property towards vandalism and theft.”
He additionally disclosed plans to pilot renewable power tasks, making certain that not less than 20 p.c of the long run energy will come from clear sources.
“These are usually not distant guarantees—they’re quick, measurable, and achievable at numerous occasions throughout the subsequent 24 months and even much less,” he added.
The governor emphasised the necessity for collaboration, saying, “We’ve got listened. We’ve got discovered. And we are going to act. However let me stress this: success is not going to come from authorities alone. It should come from partnerships—with the personal sector, with our federal counterparts, with improvement finance establishments, with traders and licensees, and with you, the folks of Akwa Ibom.
“We’ll work exhausting and purposefully to make sure that electrical energy availability will now not be a barrier to progress in Akwa Ibom State, that industries will flourish, companies will thrive, and houses shall be powered.
“That we are going to start to ship higher service to extra households, and by 2034, God keen, each family in Akwa Ibom may have high quality electrical energy service. And that we are going to construct a mannequin for electrical energy reform in Nigeria,” he mentioned.
Governor Eno thanked everybody for attending and their high quality contributions, particularly representatives of the governors of Enugu, Abia, Cross River, and Bayelsa States; representatives of the Minister of Energy and the Speaker of the Home of Representatives.
He counseled an Akwa Ibom daughter, Ekemini Umoh, who resides in Europe, for flying in to attend the convention and for her high quality contributions each earlier than and on the summit, stressing that she displays qualities worthy of emulation.
Earlier, Akon Eyakenyi, deputy governor, and Enobong Uwah, secretary to the state authorities, had offered the roadmap to the governor for consideration.
