Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers State governments have incorporated a joint venture company that is seeking license to distribute electricity in their areas, as part of measures to guarantee regular supply of power. Akwa Ibom state government has also received over N100million from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for electricity generated and supplied to the national grid by the Ibom Power Plant.

Speaking to select journalists in Lagos at the weekend, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Social Re-orientation, Hon. Aniekan Umanah said as soon as electricity distribution and transmission were decoupled from the exclusive list of the Federal Government and approval granted to the four states, they would be in a position to distribute electricity. Umanah, who was supported by the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Hon. John Harry, gave the name of the company floated by the four states as Four-Power.

He noted that with the 191 megawatts capacity Ibom Power Plant, Akwa Ibom State was already in a position to be involved in the business of power distribution. “We have so much gas in Akwa Ibom. Right now, the state government, working with Septa Energy is building the first gas processing plant under government and private-sector partnership and is also laying a pipeline of 59 kilometres that will harness gas and pipe it all the way to Ibom Power Plant. You may be aware that we already have a power plant of 191 megawatts of electricity,” he said.

The Commissioner disclosed that the power station was already contributing about 40 megawatts to the national grid and had also started receiving payment from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). “We received over N100million in December 2010 for power that we gave to Nigeria. We are not able to domicile the power completely yet because of the distribution and transmission issues, which are still within the exclusive list of the Federal Government. But what comes to mind now is that oil and gas, and maritime-related services are very huge areas we must participate. So, the government of Chief Godswill Akpabio intends to position the people of Akwa Ibom State to become active players in this industry. That is why government is making significant investments, working with the private sector towards the development of the maritime enclave – oil and gas enclave called Ibom Industrial City,” he said.

To actualise this vision, the state government in partnership with Oil and Gas Soft Skills Limited, is to organise a two-day stakeholders’ summit, with the theme: “Harnessing the oil and gas potential of Akwa Ibom State –Opportunities and Challenges.”