Striking Point – Ibom Power Company:

Commendation or Condemnation?

With Saviour Ekpe

“The provision of affordable electric Power for all, enabling improvements in health care, the environment, economic development, literacy and education” is the customized mission statement of Ibom Power Company.

Incorporated in 2001 as a special purpose company by the Akwa Ibom Investment and Promotion Council (AKIIPOC), the investment arm of the Akwa Ibom State Government, to develop the first major Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Nigeria without input from the major oil companies operating in the country.

Conceived, initiated, commenced work by choosing Ikot Abasi local government Area, the Aluminum City as the permanent site for the Ibom Power Plant by the erstwhile governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah, inherited and completed by the incumbent governor, Chief (Dr) Godswill Akpabio to achieve its vision of providing “a steady Permanent Power Supply for our Country, Nigeria”, without sounding sycophantic has come to pass as the company, Ibom Power Company has seen the light of the day.

It could be recalled when the incumbent, Chief Godswill Akpabio got the PDP nomination ticket in 2006, he did chorus anywhere he went, “we are in a haste to develop Akwa Ibom”, some critics viewed it as a way of wooing the electorate in order to win their votes at the general election.

On assumption of office in 2007, he moved in the “spirit of Elijah” to rebuild the broken wall of Akwa Ibom; create life where there was death, lite light in the midst of clouded darkness. In a bid to ensure accelerated progress in Power Sector of the economy, he hand picked a man who is equal to any lighting problem, a man whose first name prefixed light, the Governor’s former running mate and a-one-time Akwa Ibom State Governorship aspirant, Obong Nsima Ekere as the chairman, Board of Ibom Power Company (IPC) with five other Board members.

Immediately after swearing in, Obong Nsima Ekere with his supportive team swung into action to ensure that lighting problem in the state is like a ‘tale that is told’ in the state. Like the chairman always say that Ibom Power Plant is the first in the entire country to record such a successful story and that is why the President and Commander of the Federal Republish of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan officially switched on the light, which today every nook and cranny of the state is benefiting and testifying of the workability and the reality of the IPP.

No wonder the State Chief Executive could not hide his feelings bubbled with joy of a fulfilled dream and a realized goal of providing a steady power to Akwa Ibom people on the day Mr. President performed the ceremony who clearly expressed, “I want to thank the Chairman the Ibom Power Company Board, Obong Nsima Ekere, I thank you, I thank you and I thank you so much”.

Today, power generated by Ibom Power Plant is being enjoyed in Akwa Ibom State and beyond, that is why most businesses in Uyo and other towns within and outside the state have been resurrected as a result of the presence of constant and regular Power. In a telephone interaction with a cross section of Akwa Ibom people across the state proves that Ibom Power has brought joy and hope to the people and faith  on the Board and managers of  the company. Those who testified to this fact from Nsit Ibom, Elder James Ekpo; Eket, Evang. Ephraim John; Okobo, Hon. Chris Okon; Ika, Mr. Mmeti Effiong; Itu, Mr. Imo Dennis; Uyo, Pastor John James and many others who actually confirmed to the fact that Power supply in the state is now constant, steady and real. One can however draw a conclusion that the Ibom Power Company is worthy of commendations.

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