By Godwin Ajom
The Cross River State House of Assembly has summoned the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), State Electrification Agency (SEA), and the Ministry of Power to appear before the House to offer a public explanation on the absence of total electricity in Ikom and other local government areas.
The public explanation is due to the poor power supply in Ikom, Biase, Bakassi, Boki, Abi, Yala, Bekwarra, Akpabuyo, Obudu, Etung, Obanliku, and Odukpani LGAs who have enjoyed little or total blackout for years.
The House adopted the resolutions following deliberation on a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikom I State Constituency and Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Samuel Neji Abang. Abang lamented that despite Ikom’s prominence in agro-business activities and high population power supplies have been poor.
“Except for Four Corners, which is the heart of the LGA, other wards and villages lack total power supply from the National Grid. The town itself enjoys just a few hours of electricity supply from the National Grid, with a total average of just about 50 hours per month, yet estimated billings are given every day.
“The cause of this pathetic situation ranges from the inefficiency of the Electricity Distribution Company to the inadequate funding of government agencies to properly conduct surveys to enable the government to take appropriate action,” Abang said.
The Speaker of the Assembly, who represents Ikom II State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem decried the poor power supply in his Local Government Area. He however assured that the 10th Assembly will continue to collaborate with the Executive to ensure developmental projects including rural electrification are extended in the state LGAs.