IKECHUKWU AGBAMEGBUE, UYO
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared that electricity remains the single most important driver of the State’s development agenda, stressing that the era of energy insecurity in the state is over.
Governor Eno, at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Akwa Ibom State Strategic Roundtable held in Abuja, said the State is pivoting from policy formulation to practical implementation and delivery of electricity solutions that will transform lives and power industries.
“We have moved from aspiration to legal and institutional foundation. Today, we pivot to implementation and delivery,” the Governor said.
The Governor explained that the State has, within the past year, delivered the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Policy (2024), enacted the Electricity Law (2025), and established regulatory frameworks for the implementation of the new electricity regime.
Governor Eno emphasized that electricity is central to the ARISE Agenda, enabling agriculture, industry, schools, hospitals, digital hubs, women-led enterprises, and job creation across the State. He assured investors that his administration will provide enabling environment, expedite permits, ensure regulatory clarity, and facilitate financing to guarantee project success.
“Electricity is the key driver of our purpose to ensure that every Akwa Ibomite, in every corner of this State, can live with dignity and opportunity in the 21st century,” he said, urging RESCOs and private sector investors to move from ideas to concrete projects within 15–18 months.
The Governor added that Akwa Ibom will adopt approaches that will leverage the rich natural gas and small hydro resources in the State while creating room for renewable energy, to achieve a sustainable energy transition.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, in a remark, described the event as a “critical milestone” in the State’s journey to deliver universal electricity access, noting that off-grid deployment is vital to reaching unserved and underserved communities.
Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Aliyu Baba, commended the State Government’s commitment to rural development, stressing that the ARISE Agenda aligns with the national electrification initiative. He noted that REA will continue to partner states to attract private sector investors and ensure affordable electricity for rural dwellers.
Commissioner for Power, Mr Iniobong Robson, in a presentation on Renewable Energy Opportunities in the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Market, highlighted investment prospects in solar, hydro, and gas-to-power solutions. He assured that the government has created a conducive environment for investors to thrive, with policies designed to make projects viable and sustainable.
The roundtable also featured an overview of the REA Community Mapping Tool by the Technical Adviser of the Nigerian Electrification Program (NEP) and the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the REA to strengthen collaboration.
