Group Faults Akwa Ibom Govt’s Plan To Sell Power Plant

A group, Open Forum for Humanity Organisation (OFHO), has faulted plans by the Akwa Ibom State government to sell the state-owned Ibom Power Plant (IPP).

Besides, the group urged the federal government to suspend the new tax laws until all grey areas were addressed after proper investigation into the alleged illegal alteration and forgery of the provisions of the tax law.

The convener of the forum, Mr Mathew Okono, who stated this in an interview in Uyo, the state capital yesterday, underscored the importance of repositioning the firm for optimum utilisation and  uninterrupted power supply in the state.

Okono, who regretted that despite the potential of the company to be the flagship in the power industry, mismanagement and other contending interests have combined to render the company ineffective for several years.

“Recently, His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, the former governor warned against the possible sale of the company to private interests.

Prof Akpan Ekpo, the man who superintended over the establishment of the company has decried the current state of the company and called on the State government to invite the original hands that set-up the company to help rescue and reposition it to ensure a 24/7 power supply to the State as there can be no true economic development without steady electricity supply.

“Open Forum had followed developments in the company, including the promised technical audit ordered by the Umo Eno-led administration which was sadly given to an Ibom Power Company contractor to execute in collaboration with AKICORP, the supervisory agency of IPC.

“The controversies that emanated from the exercise is a different story by itself. The State Electricity Act and power summit held in 2025 do not appear to have added value to the state government’s effort to reposition Ibom Power Company.

“Open Forum agrees with Prof Akpan Ekpo, that the Government of Akwa Ibom State should have a roundtable meeting with the original minds that established the company, people like Prof Okon Ansa and others to fashion out the way forward. Summit(s) cannot do what a technical team should do at far less cost.

“The reported alleged corruption, inefficiency and other unethical occurrences in the supervision and management of the company need thorough investigations and necessary action if progress is to be made in changing the narrative of the company for the good of society, not a few individuals with personal agendas,” he recalled.

Regarding the reported alteration or forgery of specific provisions of the signed tax law as passed by the National Assembly, the Forum described the action as “criminal” and called on the National Assembly, which had established a committee to investigate the matter, to submit its report as soon as practicable.

“We also encourage the civil society community and professional bodies to conduct their independent investigations to unravel the truth on the controversies surrounding the tax law,” he said.