…why Ibom Power MD was sacked -State Government
… Savannah Energy sabotaging Ibom Power -Sacked MD, Meyen
By Ime Silas
Akwa Ibom State Government has disclosed that the sacking of the now former Managing Director (MD) of Ibom Power Company Limited, Engr. Meyen Etukudoh was part of the administration’s ongoing restructuring exercise in the Power Sector in alignment with the governor’s ARISE Agenda.
In a press release dated November 14, 2024 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Engr. Meyen was directed to handover to the Honourable Commissioner of Power with immediate effect.
The release read “As part of the ongoing restructuring exercise of this administration, to align with the machinery of government in the Power Sector, to the ARISE Agenda, His Excellecncy, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno Ph.D, has relieved the Managing Director of Ibom Power Company Limited, Engr. Meyen Etukudoh of his appointment with immediate effect.
Engr. Etukudoh is therefore directed to handover to the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Power, who will oversee the company till further notice.
His Excellecncy, the Governor expresses his gratitude to the Managing Director for his services to the state and wishes him success in his future endeavors”.
Our paper learnt that Engr. Meyen’s axing came amidst days of general power outage in Akwa Ibom State despite the state having an Independent Power Plant located at Ikot Abasi local government area.
The Ibom Power Company is an electricity generating company (GenCo) with a production capacity of about 190MW.
Few hours to his sacking, the embattled MD had issued a statement in connection with the statewide blackout which he blamed allegedly on sabotage by Savannah Energy, supplier of gas to the Ibom Power Plant.
Engr. Meyen’s statement which he personally signed read “The Board and Management of Ibom Power Company Limited (IPC) wish to notify Akwa Ibom State residents and the general public that the current statewide outage is due to the unavailability of gas supply to the state-owned Ibom Power Plant.
It is noteworthy that during incidents of national grid collapses that have caused nationwide outages more than twelve (12) times this year, Akwa Ibom State was exempted from the nationwide outages because Ibom Power Plant continued to supply the state on Island Mode”.
He continued “Regrettably, our gas supplier, Savannah Energy recently sabotaged the laudable efforts of Ibom Power by cutting off gas supply to the Ibom Power Plant. This loss of gas supply coincided with a reported fault on the 132kv Itu-Aba Transmission line, which transports power from the national grid in and out of the state, hence the statewide outage.
While the Transmission Company of Nigeria is working to restore the 132kv transmission line from the national grid into the state, the Management of Ibom Power Company has continued to engage the management of Savannah Energy to restore gas supply to the Ibom Power Plant, but Savannah Energy has remained adamant, claiming underpayment from Ibom Power”.
Prior to Engr. Meyen’s press statement, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) had in a statement dated same November 14, 2024 and signed by ‘Management’, attributed vaguely the power outage to the “… tripping of Itu/Uyo 132kv line”.
PHED’s statement read “Dear esteemed customer, kindly note that the outage currently experienced in Akwa Ibom State is due to the tripping of Itu/Uyo 132kv line.
We are working with TCN team to ensure full restoration as soon as possible.
All inconveniences are hereby regretted”.
It was unclear as at press time whether the sacking of Engr. Meyen Etukudoh was due to his exposing the alleged sabotage by Savannah Energy or his inability to manage effectively the supply of electricity in the oil-rich Niger Delta state.
Prior to the statewide blackout, most parts of Uyo metropolis and some local government areas were without electricity supply.
Our paper gathered, for instance that in the heart of Uyo, the capital city, that is, the main Ibom plaza area, the axis opposite the former First Bank, Oron Road down to some parts of Wellington Bassey Way have been without electricity for many months.
Wellington Bassey Way plays host to the seat of the State Government.
Upon inquiry, our paper gathered that the total blackout within the area was due to an electric transformer fault which the PHED had neglected.
It was the same story at sections of Ikot Akpan Abia which residents lamented of persistent blackout for years.
The affected areas, according to our correspondent are parts of Ikot Akpan Abia/Ikot Iko Road, School Road, Aba Ukpo close, etc.
Speaking to our correspondent, one of the residents who gave his name as Enefiok said “We have suffered lack of electricity for many years now. Before now, it used to be epileptic until year 2021 when we were plunged into a total blackout.
“After about two years, we contributed money and gave to the Power Company to repair the transformer. They said they have repaired the transformer. We just saw light for about one month and as we speak, the transformer had packed up again, throwing us into another round of blackout”.
…more details later