Ibom power, Accugas trade blame over power outage in Akwa Ibom

Following a four-day-power outage in Akwa Ibom, the State-owned power company, Ibom Power Limited and its gas supplier, Accugas Limited, a subsidiary of Savannah Energy have continued to trade blames over the cause of the incident.

The former Managing Director of Ibom Power Company, IPC, Engr. Meyen Etukudoh had attributed the blackout in the state to lack of gas supply to the power company by Accugas over debt payment.

Etukudoh in a statement accused Accugas of wilfully withholding gas supply to Ibom power and being adamant to resolve whatever differences during discussions, stressing that Accugas wanted to sabotage the efforts of the State government.

Shortly after Etukudoh’s outburst, Akwa Ibom State government through the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah issued a sack letter to him, without stating clearly the reasons.

The sack has since raised a lot of controversies in the state as some described it as premature and victimization of the MD for voicing out his frustrations, while others said it was in order as the MD’s statement was aimed at embarrassing the governor and revealing the debt status of the state to Accugas.

It was gathered that although gas supply to Ibom Power was discontinued momentarily for lack of payment, Savannah has since resumed supply, but the plants could not be re-started because it was in a very bad shape.

However, Savannah Energy had fired back at Ibom power in a statement insisting that ‘’the power cut in Akwa Ibom State is entirely due to the reported fault in the 132 KVA Aba-Itu Transmission Line,” which according to it was preventing power from being transmitted from the National Grid into the state.

The Communications Manager of Accugas, Okwudili Onyia stated, “Accugas Limited, a subsidiary of Savannah Energy, wishes to strongly deny the misinformation concerning its alleged involvement in the current power outage in Akwa Ibom State.

“The power cut in Akwa Ibom State is entirely due to the reported fault in the 132-KV Aba-Itu transmission line, which, unfortunately, is preventing power from being transmitted from the National Grid into the State.

“Within Akwa Ibom State, Accugas has been the sole supplier of gas to IPC since 2014 and, together with other Savannah subsidiaries, has invested over US$1.5 billion in gas development within the state.”

As of the time of filing the report, power has been restored in Akwa Ibom.