From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Cross River State House of Assembly has indicated its intention of inviting t the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), the State Electricity Agency as well as the Ministry of Power to appear before and demand a public explanation of the poor epileptic power supply in the Ikom Local Government Area.
The Assembly also resolved that all relevant stakeholders be brought together to light up Ikom LGA and other parts of the State suffering total neglect or poor power supply.
The House adopted these resolutions following its deliberation on a motion sponsored by the Member representing Ikom I State Constituency and Minority Leader, Hon. Samuel Neji Abang.
Presenting the motion, Abang lamented that, despite Ikom’s prominence in agro-business activities and high population density, its power supply has been extremely 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 overage of just about 50 hours per month, yet estimated bills 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 lawmakers maintained that, with a good power supply, Ikom will greatly improve the State’s economy.
“The importance of having a regular power supply cannot be over-emphasized. The People of Ikom LGA, with the beehive of economic activities, stand to improve the State Economy Per Capital.”
A majority of the Legislators who lent their voices to the debate stressed that Ikom contributes greatly to the IGR of the State hence the urgent need for all stakeholders to come together and ensure that the LGA has regular power supply to boost economic activities.
The Lawmakers further noted that the poor power supply has discouraged investments as businesses depend solely on generators which skyrocket the cost of production of goods and services.
In his reaction, 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 that developmental projects, including Rural Electrification, are extended to LGAs across the State.
