Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno has disclosed plans to set up a State Electricity Regulatory Commission and Electrification Agency in alignment with the deregulation and decentralisation of the power management by the federal government.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-day electricity summit in Ikot Ekpene local government area of the state, Governor Eno said the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulation Commission (AKSERC) will provide fair tariffs, transparent licensing, and independent oversight.
Also, the governor said while the Akwa Ibom State Electrification Agency (AISEA) would deliver electricity access to towns, villages, and underserved communities.
“The boards of the above agencies will be constituted in the next one month. We are clear that while our ambition is long-term, we must set the ball rolling immediately by establishing AKSERC and AISEA, staffed and trained to the best possible standards.”
He called upon the people of the state with requisite technical qualifications and skills to apply for employment through the ARISE Employment Portal.
“I can’t stress enough the fact that this, is purely a professional assignment and therefore, has no political colouration. The recruitment exercise will be done transparently and only those who are technically qualified will be taken.
“We will rehabilitate and immediately commercialise Ibom Power Company (IPC) raise capital and commence its urgent rehabilitation, while also taking steps to establish the Akwa Ibom Electricity Distribution Company and upgrade the State distribution network that it operates.
“We will launch the Akwa Ibom Electricity Market by licensing Ibom Power Company and the new Akwa Ibom State Electricity Distribution Company, with Akwa Ibom holding majority shares,” he said
Eno assured that the State would roll out the first phase of the State Electrification Plan, “bringing sustainable electricity access to unserved and underserved communities; and publish and enforce a Consumer Bill of Rights which will ensure fair treatment for all consumers, accountability by licensees, and protection of electricity assets against vandalism and theft.”
He also disclosed plans to pilot renewable energy projects, ensuring that at least 20 percent of the future power would come from clean sources.
“These are not distant promises—they are immediate, measurable, and achievable at various times within the next 24 months or even less,” he assured.
Emphasising the need for collaboration, Governor Eno said, “We have listened. We have learned. And we will act. But let me stress this: success will not come from government alone. It will come from partnerships -with the private sector, with our federal counterparts, with development finance institutions, with investors and licensees, and with you, the people of Akwa Ibom.
“We will work hard and purposefully to ensure, that electricity availability will no longer be a barrier to growth in Akwa Ibom State, that industries will flourish, businesses will thrive, and homes will be powered.
“That we will begin to deliver better service to more households and by 2034, God willing, every household in Akwa Ibom will have quality electricity service. And that we will build a model for electricity reform in Nigeria,” he stressed.
