…seeks state’s rightful place in electricity distribution company
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called for a structured and time-bound engagement with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHEDC, to accelerate reforms and guarantee reliable electricity supply across the state.
Governor Eno made the call in Uyo while receiving the Board and Management of PHEDC, led by its Chairman, Mr. Olice Kemenanabo, who were in the state for a board meeting and courtesy visit.
The Governor said reliable electricity was central to the success of the administration’s ARISE Agenda, stressing that the state’s gas resources, generation capacity, industrial potential and investment drive could not be fully harnessed without dependable power supply.
He urged PHEDC to move beyond engagements without clear outcomes, insisting that future discussions should be guided by specific timelines and deliverables.
According to him, the domestication of the Electricity Act 2023 and the constitutional changes enabling greater participation by state governments in the electricity sector have created an opportunity for Akwa Ibom to redefine its relationship with the distribution company.
Governor Eno disclosed that the state had already established an electricity regulatory commission to provide firm, transparent and predictable regulation, protect consumers and create an enabling environment for credible operators and investment in the state’s electricity market.
He therefore challenged PHEDC to review its strategy and work with the state government on the legal, technical and institutional framework required to strengthen electricity distribution in Akwa Ibom.
A major issue raised by the Governor was the need for PHEDC to comply with the NERC Transfer Order of August 18 and commence the process of incorporating Akwa Ibom into the emerging electricity distribution arrangement.
He also sought clarification on the ownership and representation of Akwa Ibom’s shares in PHEDC, explaining that the shares had previously been held in trust for the state government and that the time had come for the state to properly take over its interest and secure representation on the company’s board.
The Governor stressed that the state was not seeking confrontation with PHEDC, but a mutually beneficial partnership that would guarantee Akwa Ibom its rightful place while improving electricity service for residents.
“It’s a marriage that we love and we don’t want a divorce. But we must also look at how this marriage will progress to the benefit of our children and children’s children,” Governor Eno said.
He called for a robust engagement involving PHEDC, the state government and the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission, with clear milestones to be reviewed at the company’s next board meeting.
Responding, the Chairman of PHEDC, Mr. Olice Kemenanabo, said the decision to hold the company’s board meeting in Akwa Ibom was deliberate and represented a renewed commitment to strengthening its relationship with the state and other stakeholders within its franchise area.
Kemenanabo described the meeting as historic, noting that it was the first time the PHEDC Board was convening outside its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt.
He acknowledged the strategic importance of Akwa Ibom to PHEDC and the critical role of reliable electricity in driving industrialisation, commerce, investment and improved quality of life.
The PHEDC chairman assured the Governor that the company was committed to working with the state government to improve electricity service delivery, strengthen the distribution network, improve metering and energy accountability, attract investment and enhance electricity supply across the state.
He said the evolving electricity sector framework under the Electricity Act 2023, which has been domesticated by Akwa Ibom, provides fresh opportunities for collaboration between the state government and electricity operators.
Kemenanabo also congratulated Governor Eno and the people of Akwa Ibom on the 39th anniversary of the creation of the state, pledging PHEDC’s commitment to making electricity a key enabler of economic growth and industrial development.
The meeting ended with a call for closer collaboration, clear timelines and measurable deliverables in the interest of the state, PHEDC and electricity consumers.
The engagement comes as Akwa Ibom intensifies efforts to reposition its electricity sector under the state’s new regulatory framework, with the Governor insisting that the ultimate objective must be a reliable and sustainable power supply capable of supporting the state’s development ambitions.