The Chairman, Ibom Power Company Ltd, Engr. Etido Inyang says it is a welcome development as the Federal Government has unbundled the power sector which will facilitate efficient power generation and distribution, as well as attracting more investors to the sector.
He said this recently during a media interface in Uyo.
According to him, “with the unbundling of the power sector by the Federal Government, states now can generate power, retain and distribute same.”
He went further to state that the ‘Ibom Utility Board’ yet to be established will be the holder of the license for power transmission and it will behove on the State Government to facilitate the establishment of the said board which will be operated on a legal framework to guide its operations.
On the issue of backlog of staff salaries in the company, the Chairman of Ibom Power Company said the matter will soon be resolved as steps have already been taken to handle it. He explained further that the backlog of staff salaries arose from the financial hitches in the release of funds from the Federal level to the Company over a period of time. Also, he expressed optimism that the Governor’s visit will help to reposition the Company, especially in the aspects of the relationship with Gas Company to clear the legacy debt and the training of Staff.
The Chairman threw light on the functionality of the three turbines which aid power distribution. As a Board, Engr. Inyang said they met GT1 not functional since 2012. Only GT3 was functional when the Governor visited and GT2 was down with maintenance issue. He added that in the next few weeks the turbines will be up for better power distribution.
Clearing the air on the recent power outages experienced in the State, the Chairman said Ibom Power Company was not responsible as they do not supply power to the State but to the national grid. The recent outage incidents were due to a technical fault in the Aba-Itu line which supplies power to the State, and a rainstorm which disrupted the lines within Afaha Ube transmission sub-station. He added that the State Government is working on modalities with Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to see how the Aba-Itu line fault could be resolved.
On harnessing gas production in the State to run turbines to generate power, it was disclosed that negotiations are ongoing to have a more comfortable deal as the State plans to exit from the contract with Savannah Energy Resource Ltd.
The Chairman however disclosed that the planned technical audit of the Ibom Power facilities is to determine the technical gap created over the years and work towards closing such gaps.
Furthermore, as the Chairman of Ibom Power Company Board, Engr. Etido Inyang said a lot has been achieved in the areas of policy changes, sustainability and supervisory roles.
The Board of Directors has a good working relationship with the entire staff and management of the company, he disclosed.
The management reports to the Board which has supervisory role over it. With his experience, globally and locally over the years, the Chairman said he can only aspire higher while working to engender better power services for Akwa Ibom people.
