Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has declared a state of emergency in the power sector, setting an ambitious goal of delivering 24-hour electricity across the state to drive industrial growth and socio-economic development.
The announcement was made during the ongoing Exco Ministerial Briefings in Uyo, where Governor Eno emphasized the need for a coordinated effort among energy professionals to craft a comprehensive Power Master Plan. He revealed plans to host a Power Summit in March 2025, where a dedicated Power Infrastructure Committee will work closely with the Commissioner for Power to ensure the state’s energy objectives are realized.
“We cannot continue with the status quo. Our aim is to provide uninterrupted power that fuels industry and supports every economic activity across Akwa Ibom,” Governor Eno said. “It is vital for all stakeholders in the energy sector to come together and develop a Power Master Plan that will transform our state.”
Engr. Camilus Umoh, the state Commissioner for Power and Acting Managing Director of Ibom Power Limited, provided an update on the state’s electricity generation capacity. He highlighted that Ibom Power, a gas-fired thermal facility operating since December 2009, has an installed capacity of 191 megawatts across three turbines.
Umoh explained that in 2024, Ibom Power aimed to generate 100MW but averaged 50MW up to November 11. During periods of national grid collapse, the company supplied 25-27MW directly to the state. On December 16, 2024, a capacity demonstration test conducted in collaboration with NBET, TCN, and NCC saw Ibom Power reach a record 107MW—the highest generation in 12 months—with an IPC score of 89%.
Despite these successes, Umoh acknowledged persistent challenges. Aging transmission lines, such as the Aba/Alaoji-Itu 330kV line, frequent national grid collapses, foreign exchange constraints, low tariffs, and limited uptake by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) due to energy theft continue to hamper efficiency.
He also raised concerns over vandalism, noting that while Akwa Ibom leads the South South and South East regions in power infrastructure investment, it also records the highest number of transformer thefts and vandalism incidents. “Our communities must take ownership of government facilities and protect them. Addressing these issues is critical to ensuring reliable power supply,” Umoh added.
