Our vision is to be the best power generation company In Nigeria - Victor Udo

Victor Udo

The managing director of Ibom Power Company, Mr. Victor Udo spoke with newsmen, on the vision of the company and other issues…Excerpts

What is your comment on the improved power supply in Akwa Ibom State?
The magic is the expertise, experience and commitment of the governor, the superior performer. The governor’s expertise has been able to leverage on what his successor, Senator Godswill Akpabio did. During the last administration, the building blocks for steady power supply was made. We have gas in Akwa Ibom, an agreement was reached between Seven Energy and Frontier to establish a gas processing plant in Esit Eket and pipe it to Ikot Abasi. We also have a power plant that is functioning, working very well now. We are producing over 100 mega watts. We have also have transmission lines; we have built one from Ikot Abasi to Eket. In addition, the state government has also invested in the distribution significantly, by making sure almost all villages and communities have transformers and are connected to the national grid. The government has also put money into the power distribution when assets of distribution companies were privatised. What we are seeing today did not just start with now, it started when the governor was the Secretary to the State Government. When Governor Udom Emmanuel came in as the SSG, he started by making sure that the right people are put in the right place. He understands the system because he was in charge of the energy and power desk at Zenith Bank.. To me, that is the magic, being able to put things together. He knows whom to call; when he assumed office as governor, he met with the people in the  distribution company and told them what his expectations and that is why we are seeing improvement in the supply of power in Akwa Ibom State. Since the governor came to power, we have not had a day Ibom Power Company is not running; what this means is that there is always power in Akwa Ibom, even when there is no power in the national grid. So, that is something we should be happy about and give the governor the highest credit. And also our personnel who are running the plant, making sure that they do everything possible to maintain the plant.

Udom: Making power a priority in A’Ibom

Ibom Power Company

Doubts over the stability of supporting infrastructure for Governor Udom Emmanuel’s industrialisation plan are gone with the recent tremendous improvement in power in the state. The improved power supply has not come to the state by happenstance, but through a concerted move by Governor Emmanuel to enhance the quality of life of the people while providing the enabling environment to attract the right investments to the state as well as the understanding of its role in the industrialisation plan by Ibom Power Company, IPC.
Barely three months in office, it already feels like the governor had been around for a decade in the state preparing for his tenure. Few weeks after assumption of office, the governor who had served at the Energy and Power Desk of Zenith Bank, met with the Port-Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHEDC, on issues bothering on regular power supply. Since then, there has been a relative stability and improved supply of electricity in the state in recent times.

A’Ibom PDP: Before the bubble bursts

Obong Paul Ekpo

BY NATHAN UWEH

It is no longer news that the much anticipated 2015 general elections have come and gone with the victorious team jubilating ecstatically to the envy of the loser. It is a common knowledge that in Nigeria like in most African countries, there is no place for political losers as they are treated like pariahs  where nobody is supposed to even greet  talk to. Once you fail, you are on your own. No wonder politicians do everything to cling to power.

Facilities in Govt Hospitals to be revamped – Health Commissioner

Dr. Dominic Inyang Ukpong

Facilities in some Government Hospitals are to be revamped for greater productivity in line with the policy thrust of the present administration. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Inyang Ukpong gave the hint when members of National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Akwa Ibom State Branch visited him in his office.

Ikono Lawmaker dedicates victory to God, drums support for Governor Emmanuel

Rt. Hon. Victor Udofia and family being prayed for

The last may not have been heard of the Member representing Ikono State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Charles Udofia. The latest news emanating from Ikono Local Government Area has it that the election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja, has struck out a petition brought before it by the House of Assembly candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Gabriel Obot, challenging the victory of the PDP candidate, Rt Hon Victor Udofia.

Finance Commissioner inspects payment of gratuities to Pensioners

Finance Boss, Akan Okon (r)inspecting ongoing payment of gratuities to pensioner

In a bid to ensure the smooth dispensation of outstanding arrears of gratuity benefits to Local Government Pensioners in the State, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon has visited the payment venue to inspect the ongoing exercise. The Commissioner who was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Eme-Ette  Imuk was conducted round the designated centre at the State Secretariat  complex by the Secretary, Local Government Pensions Board, Mr. Uduak Udo.

Addressing addictions (2)

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

In the previous edition of this piece, the concept of addiction was analysed and defined as a  great interest in a particular thing to which a lot of time is devoted. A state of physiological or psychological dependence on a potentially harmful act or habit. Addictions are habits we find ourselves indulging in without being duly conscious of. They are attitudes we put on that apparently stand out no matter how much we try to hide them. It is an excessive involvement in a particular act which renders the performer incomplete or dissatisfied when they are unable to carry out the act as at when due. It is in summary, an unstoppable interest developed for an action for which one is always noted for.

APC to empower 3100 A’Ibom Youths through Entrepreneurial Skills

Comrade Monday Akpan

Not less than 3100 Akwa Ibom Youths will benefit from the All Progressive Congress, APC National Youth Vanguard’s Skill Acquisition Programme, billed to commence in August, 2015. The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the organization, Comrade Monday Akpan who disclosed this recently in Uyo, said the programme was part of APC National Youth Vanguard’s project geared towards massive empowerment of the youths in order to produce “a self-reliant generation.”

Senate: Akpabio opposes application to tender INEC’s Atlas of Constituency

...petition not about senatorial district- Akpabio cries out 
...senatorial district a big issue - Okori insists 
...I left PDP because of impunity - Dr Udoma Ekarika tells tribunal

Inibehe Okori

Eight days after he tendered the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the disputed Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district election results, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Amadu Attai on Wednesday  appeared before the Hon Justice Goddy Anunihu led Akwa Ibom State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the Customary Court,  Dutsen Alhaji , Abuja to conclude his testimony at the tribunal as a witness in the ongoing trial of the disputed March 28, 2015 National Assembly election.
Dr Attai who had last Tuesday  tendered the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the final result of the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district election as was allegedly issued by the 2nd respondent (INEC) sought the leave of the court to tender the Atlas of Constituency of the three senatorial districts in the state as produced by INEC  and relied upon for nomination and election into the senatorial seat. This was opposed to by Akpabio , INEC and the PDP .

Southern Ukanafun Clan hails Aniekan Akpan, Gov Emmanuel

The people of southern Ukanafun Clan in Ukanafun L.G.A. have felicitated with the commissioner for Education, Elder Aniekan Akpan on his appointment. The Clan made its position known in a release signed by some of their outstanding sons, Engr. Emmanuel Obong – Secretary to the Clan Council, Obong Saturday Umoren – Central Youths President, Elder Emmanuel Etukudo and Barr. Idongesit Umoh.

ABAK FIRST BANK: How Management, Staff conspire with criminals to rob, kill customers

The First Bank Abak branch, has allegedly indulged in plethora of robbery activities which make some customers to be scared of the Bank in recent time. Just recently, a river of tears flows freely in the farming village of Ikot Udo Mbang in Ukanafun L.G.A. Their inconsolable sorrow stems from the untimely death of one of their prominent sons who was a senior nurse with the State Ministry of Health, Mr. Sunday Effiong Inyang who died recently from bullet wounds he sustained when armed men attacked him near Obio Akpa bridge, shortly after Akwa Ibom State University campus.

Unfinished business: Uyo Sex Worker fights man, 35 over refusal to pay after service

BY KENNETH JUDE

A mild drama ensued in the early hours of Wednesday (yesterday) at Nyong Essien Street, Uyo when a middle aged lady from Essien Udim and a young man, whose name was given as Anietie Effiom from Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government  Area of the state, apparently  in his early thirties engaged in what many regarded as a show of shame. One report has it that the said lady is two years in Akwa Ibom State, this, she revealed to our reporter in a terse response. According to the lady, who did not want her name in print, she explained, in a rather subdued voice that the man, whose name she refused to reveal had carnal knowledge of her when she came in to town newly with her consent on the agreement that the man will pay her after the show.