The Akwa Ibom Government has admitted its indebtedness to Acugas to the tune of N40 billion (forty billion Naira) for the supply of gas to the state-owned Ibom Power Company since it commenced commercial operations in December 2009 to date.
Mr Camillus Umoh, the state commissioner for power and petroleum development, disclosed this during the Akwa Ibom State Government Ministerial Briefing/End of Year Review in Uyo on Tuesday.
“We have accumulated debt in the power sector. We owe an outstanding debt of N40 billion to our gas supplier, Acugas, since December 2009 to date.
“I think we have a problem with our power sector, and we want to declare a state of emergency on power in the state,” he stated.
The commissioner also disclosed the ministry’s plans to organise a Power Summit to think out the way forward for the sector in 2025, adding that the state-owned power company has the capacity to generate a 24-hour power supply for the state.
“We should be able to come out with a Power Master Plan in order to know how to work the talk in the power sector in the state,” Umoh said.
He mentioned his ministry’s preparedness to complete projects at the Ibom Power Plant and provide power to unserved communities in the state.
The commissioner assured that his ministry is set to complete the Etim Ekpo injection substation in the state, which was initiated by previous administrations.
“One of the things we are doing is to complete all projects in the power sector.
“We are starting with the Etim Ekpo Injection substation and completing 4 km of outstanding pipelines of right-of-way conduction line.
“The intention is to provide electricity to four selected areas: Ika, Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun, and Oruk-Anam.”
Umoh said that the Specialist Hospital on Ikot Ekpene Road would be connected to the National Grid by 2025.
Meanwhile, our correspondent recalls that following a four-day power outage in the state, the embattled Managing Director of Ibom Power Company, Engr. Meyene Etukudoh, announced in a press statement that the blackout was due to the failure of Acugas (the gas supplier) to supply gas to the plant, claiming that the state owed it.
A few hours later, another statement from the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, announced the immediate sack of the Ibom Power boss without stating any reason.
However, it was public knowledge that Etukudoh’s predicament was not unconnected to the press statement, which was seen as ridiculing the state government.
To validate the speculations of the people, Governor Eno, speaking at the banquet hall, said public servants have no right to issue a press statement without getting clearance from the right authority.
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