FG to collaborate with Akwa Ibom on reliable, affordable power supply
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power and its associated agencies, has expressed its commitment to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State government to achieve the goal of providing reliable and affordable electricity to its residents.
Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, made the commitment during his opening remarks at the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Summit 2025, which took place in Ikot-Ekpene Local Government Area on Thursday.
Represented by his Chief Technical Adviser, Adedayo Olowoniyi, the minister emphasised that such an ambitious goal can only be accomplished through effective collaboration.
“As Akwa Ibom State embarks on the development of the electricity market, let me reaffirm that the federal government, through the Ministry of Power and its agencies, stand ready to partner with the state government to realise its resolve of delivering reliable and affordable power supply to its people.
”We believed such ambition can only be achieved through a strong partnership, cooperation between the federal, state and local government levels.
While noting the constitutional rights of the government of Akwa Ibom State to fully determine the trajectory of its electricity market, Adelabu emphasised the importance of effective coordination with the federal government
He said as custodian of the national grid and wholesale market, such coordination is necessary to ensure state-level initiatives align with national frameworks to safeguard stability, reliability and efficiency of the entire electricity value chain.
In his remarks, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, expressed delight with the hosting of the summit, emphasising that it should not be another talk shop but must chart a roadmap and be seen as a call to action, with clear timelines and expectations outlined.
Eno said that only through this can the state successfully said to be ready to move forward on the journey to achieving electricity for all.
The governor, who noted that the state is blessed with abundant resources, lamented that many homes, hospitals and schools are still grappling with epileptic power supply, adding that the question must be asked on why the state-owned power plant with an installed capacity of 191 megawatts, is not working optimally for the benefit of the people since it was established in 2001?
‘Eno said, ‘We are blessed with abundant gas, a State-owned power plant, yet too many of our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals are grappling with epileptic power supply. The question then becomes: Why is our State-owned Ibom Power Plant, which has an installed capacity of 191 megawatts, not working optimally for the benefit of our people since it was established in 2001?
”What clear path can we adopt to make it work despite the huge resources that have been sunk into its operations, of which we, today, are repaying the Afreximbank loan of 9m USD? Do we undertake an overhaul or institute a PPP arrangement?
”Therefore, this Electricity Summit, even though it holds great promise to us, should not just be another talk shop. It should chart a Roadmap and be seen as a call to action, with clear timelines on who should do what, when such should be completed, and clear expectations outlined. Only then can we successfully tell ourselves we are ready to move forward on our journey to achieving electricity for all.”
The governor said the state’s vision for electricity access is anchored on the principle that electricity is not a luxury but a fundamental enabler for modern life.
He said, ‘Our vision in Akwa Ibom for total electricity access is anchored on a simple principle: electricity is not a luxury; it is a fundamental enabler of modern life. When a rural health clinic has steady power, lives are saved. When our farmers can process and store their produce, incomes rise.
”When our artisans have reliable energy, productivity soars. When our children can study under good lighting, the future becomes brighter, both literally and figuratively. Electricity is the basic and most important resource to give our people the opportunities to live longer and to live better.”
