Akwa Ibom’s power generating company has blamed Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for inconsistent electricity distribution in the state .
Speaking with The Trumpet in Uyo, the Managing Director of Ibom Power Plant, Engr Meyen Etukudoh, said it generates 191 megawatts which is enough to supply the state but could not distribute because of outdated and old cables linked by the transmission firm.
He remarked: “The only problem of Nigeria is willpower and in Akwa Ibom, it is the willpower of the present government that transformed the power sector.
“Ibom Power has 191 MW installed capacity that can carry the whole of this state without getting power from anywhere if its runs.”
Etukudoh who is the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Power explained that at present, the state generates 153 MW which can guarantee uninterrupted electricity in Akwa Ibom State but only 74 to 78 can be supplied because of operational limitations.
He said electric cable lines from Aba in Abia State to Itu in Akwa Ibom owned by TCN have not been reconductored since it was built in 1978.
“They are 150mm (aluminum conductor) and have not been changed since 1978,” he said.
“So, if you put load above 55MW on them now, it will trip-on over current. So, that is not the problem of Akwa Ibom State nor Ibom Power.”
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Etukudoh disclosed that AKwa Ibom state government has been begging TCN since it is their exclusive responsibility, to come and change the lines but they have not shown up yet.
He listed AKwa Ibom state as first in the power sector when compared to others as it has invested a huge sum to actualize it.
adding that before the end of the tenure of the present administration in the state, there will be a steady power supply across all villages.
He disclosed that Udom Emmanuel has bought over 50 electricity transformers recently and had already given out about 490 to the public.
“Before the time he leaves office the whole of Akwa Ibom, all the villages suppose to be on the grid. The 2274 gazetted villages I am talking about will be connected.
“So, there is no state government out of 36 that have put up such investment, building substation even a transmission substation like in Ekim 132/33KVA that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, came and commissioned in 2020.
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