After years of anxiety, Akwa Ibom has become the first state to enjoy independent power supply as its Independent Power Plant (IPP) has finally been turned on to provide uninterrupted power to the people of Eket and its environs.
Minister of Power, Dr Lanre Babalola, who authorized the exercise after visiting the plant in Ikot Abasi, commended Governor Godswill Akpabio for his commitment to completing the project which he inherited at about 40 per cent completion stage from the previous administration.
Babalola said by completing and switching on the power, Akpabio was fulfilling his electoral promises and contributing to the Federal Government’s quest to provide 6,000 megawatts by the end of December 2009.
In the next two weeks, Uyo, the state capital and its environs are expected to get the power from the IPP. The minister acknowledged that the project would raise the standard of living while the airport would open up the state to international community.
Expectedly, residents of the area were said to have gone into an ecstatic mood, when they received the good news.
Governor Akpabio, who commended his predecessor, Obong Victor Attah, for initiating the project said he completed it in fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to improve the lives of Akwa Ibom people.
He recalled that during the elections, the people massively voted for him hence the need to do more for them to reciprocate the kind gesture.
The governor assured that other local government areas in the state would soon be linked up to the Ibom Power Plant to equally enjoy stable power supply.
In an interview with Government House correspondents at Akwa Ibom International Airport before his departure to Abuja, the Power Minister lauded Governor Akpabio for the courage in undertaking the project together with other mega projects.