The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has asserted that reliable power supply to Nigerians could only be realised through a strong partnership and cooperation between the federal, state, and local government.

The Minister, in his address at the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Summit 2025 held in Ikot-Ekpene Local Government Area, expressed readiness to partner with the government of Akwa Ibom State to realise its resolve of delivering reliable and affordable electricity to its people.

Adelabu who was represented at the occasion by his Chief Technical Adviser, Adedayo Olowoniyi, said only through collaboration can such an ambition be realised.

”As Akwa Ibom State embarks on the development of the electricity market, let me reaffirm that the federal government, through the Ministry of Power and its agencies, stand ready to partner with the state government to realise its resolve of delivering reliable and affordable power supply to its people.

“We believed such ambition can only be achieved through a strong partnership, cooperation between the federal, state and local government levels.

The Minister asserted that, as a steward of the national grid and wholesale market, such coordination is essential to ensure that state-level initiatives harmonize with national frameworks, thereby safeguarding the stability, reliability, and efficiency of the entire electricity value chain.

In his remarks, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, expressed delight with the hosting of the summit and emphasized that it should not be another talk shop but must chart a roadmap and be seen as a call to action, with clear timelines and expectations outlined.

Eno who expressed concern over the persistent issue of unreliable power supply affecting homes, hospitals, and schools, said that only through this strategic collaboration that the state can successfully said to be ready to move forward on the journey to achieving electricity for all.

He questioned why the state-owned power plant, with a capacity of 191 megawatts, has not been functioning optimally since its establishment in 2001.

“We are blessed with abundant gas, a State-owned power plant, yet too many of our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals are grappling with epileptic power supply. The question then becomes: Why is our State-owned Ibom Power Plant, which has an installed capacity of 191 megawatts, not working optimally for the benefit of our people since it was established in 2001?

”What clear path can we adopt to make it work despite the huge resources that have been sunk into its operations, of which we, today, are repaying the Afreximbank loan of 9m USD? Do we undertake an overhaul or institute a PPP arrangement?

”Therefore, this Electricity Summit, even though it holds great promise to us, should not just be another talk shop. It should chart a Roadmap and be seen as a call to action, with clear timelines on who should do what, when such should be completed, and clear expectations outlined. Only then can we successfully tell ourselves we are ready to move forward on our journey to achieving electricity for all.”