Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has tasked the National Assembly to evolve a Legislative framework that would fast track the revamping of power lines to facilitate power distribution.

Governor Emmanuel gave the charge while receiving members of the Senate
Committee on Power led by the committee chairman, Senator Enyinnaya
Abaribe who called on him at the Hilltop Mansion, Government House, Uyo.

He described power as critical to the industralization programme of both the
state and Federal government, explaining that Ibom Power Company
generates over 153 megawatt of electricity but regretted its inability to
distribute the power.

The Governor made a case for the privitisation of national electric power
generation and distribution, saying that the move would pave way for private
investors to regulate electricity operations in the country.

He commended the senators for their decision to brainstorm on measures of
ensuring power safety in the country and expressed appreciation to the
committee for making Akwa Ibom the destination for the 2017 National Power
Safety Summit.

Earlier, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said the Committee was attracted to the
state by its peaceful, serene and safety ambience which he noted has made
Akwa Ibom a destination for all and used the occasion to commend the
state’s efforts at providing steady power for its citizenry by building Sub-
stations and providing transformers and other facilities to boost electricity
supply.

He announced plans by the senate to checkmate vandalization of electrical
infrastructure stressing that electricity was a critical infrastructure which must
be protected.

The Senator frowned at the spate of vandalisation of electrical installations
as well as illegal connections on electricity lines saying that the actions pose serious threat to lives and urged the state government to evolve penalties that would check the trend.

He thanked the state government for the hospitality extended to them and
provision of logistics for the hosting of the summit.

Secretary to the State Government Sir Etekamba Umoren, Chairman, Ibom
Power Company, Engr Etido Inyang, Manager Port Harcourt Electricity
Distribution Company (PHED) Mr Mathew Ebevbie and some Executive
Council Members were on hand to receive the Senate Committee members.