'Make Best Use Of Government Investments'—Akwa Ibom SSA On Power Charges Stakeholders

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Power, Dr. Victor Udo, has charged power sector stakeholders to make the best use of Government investments towards the attainment of steady power supply in Akwa Ibom state.

Speaking at a workshop organized by Seven Energy in conjunction with the Office of the SSA on Power, held recently in Uyo, Dr. Udo said "His Excellency is committed to the provision of steady power supply in the state before he leaves office."

He said the Governor has demonstrated commitment towards steady power supply by making the necessary investments in 5 key strategies. This includes gas, generation, transmission and distribution. He added that "the fifth component which is building the necessary competency is the purpose for the workshop."

The SSA urged stakeholders to "think outside the box." He said "I know there is some work to be done on the 33kV network and we are already working on it but the Government has installed transformers in over 90% of Villages and communities in the state, we can build on that."

He acknowledge the existence of vandalization and added that "the essence of regular stakeholders meeting is to develop ideas and solutions to suppress existing challenges in the state's power sector."

Dr. Udo mentioned that when it was brought to His Excellency's attention that Ikono had no power supply for 3 years, on the direction of the Governor, his office intervened and restored power to Ikono within 3 days."

He urged stakeholders to develop simple ideas and solutions to problems that will not require enormous financial implication. He said "the Government has already invested large sum of money in the power sector and it's time to produce result."

The SSA urged stakeholders to collaborate for the actualization of His Excellency's vision of steady power supply in the state. He said "we have made all the necessary investments, now we must remove the roadblocks because there must be steady power supply in the state before the end of this administration."

Dr. Udo who emphasized the need for institutionalization of core competency, concluded by saying "it s not going to be just by more money but by intellectual capacity, what money may not do, intellect can do."

The objective of the workshop was to operate electric power value chain with efficiencies that would ensure availability of at least 90% in Akwa Ibom.

Participants at the workshop were from Seven Energy, Ibom Power Company, Transmission Company of Nigeria, and the Business Managers of PHEDC in Akwa Ibom state.

Others are the Chief Technical Officer of Seven Energy, UK, Mr. Campbel Airlie and Mr. Ekerrete Umoren of FM Global in the United States.