By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has ordered for an audit report on Ibom Power Company to enable his administration ascertain where and how to handle the challenges confronting the Ibom Power Plant.
He has also promised that the state government would take steps to ensure improved power generation and distribution at the state-owned power plant.
This has become necessary as operations in the plant located at Ikon Abasi Local Council of the state have suffered disruptions due to unresolved gas supply issues and other technical problems.
Governor Umo Eno who stated this yesterday during his familiarization tour of the company described it as revealing as it has provided him with a first hand knowledge on the operations of the power plant.
He said that recent agreement between the state Ministry of Power, Board of Ibom Power and Savannah Energy to profer solutions to issues affecting the efficiency of the company was laudable and expressed confidence that the plant would soon begin to run optimally while the state would witness uninterrupted electricity supply.
“This is part of my familiarisation tour of Companies and Parastatals of Government, I mean companies that Government are controlling shares. It is just to familiarize myself with those facilities. That’s why we are doing these.
“My visit here is quite informative. I have uncovered a few things and I am sure we are going to correct all of them because everyone has agreed to work together; the Ministry of Power, Board and Management of the Ibom power.
“Then we also have the Savannah Energy that supplies gas, they are willing to assist by coming up with solutions.Let’s have an audit report of what the issues are so that we can tackle, solve them and get the place running.
“When there is progress in the management of the company electricity will be more stable, then we have the grasp of what is happening in the company.So when you visit a place, you want to get first hand information of what is happening. By my small training and experience, I don’t like siting in the office and receiving reports. That is why we visit today.
“The Deputy Governor is here, the Secretary to the state Government is here, members of the State House of Assembly are here just to see things for ourselves, and of course we have seen the situation.” Eno said.
Earlier, Chairman of Ibom Power Company, Engr. Etido Inyang highlighted on the operations of the company and requested for government’s assistance to enable the power plant run optimally.