L-R: Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy Mr. Eka Williams, the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, and the Federal Minister of Power Mr. Adebayo Adelabu after a courtesy visit to the Governor on Tuesday.
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has stated that his administration places high premium on energy and food security for the socioeconomic benefit of the state and its residents.
Speaking on Tuesday, when he granted audience to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who was on a working visit to the state, Governor Otu maintained that energy security remains pivotal to driving every other sector of the state economy.
In a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill the Governor praised the Minister for his efforts in enhancing the country’s power sector, saying ,“I must commend the Minister for all the good work he has been doing. Ever since he came in, the power equation has increased tremendously across the country.”
The Governor pointed out that the recent establishment of four mini-grids within the state would contribute in no small measure to the socio-economic development of the state.
“We have always looked out for ways in which we can scale up power; scale up in a way that our power supply can power our economy. We are confident that pending contracts in the sector will soon be activated, and 24/7 power supply across the state is very possible.”
Earlier, the Minister explained that his visit to the state was to strengthen existing collaboration with the government of Cross River and be reassured of its commitment to achieving the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He also said part of his visit was to tour the power infrastructure in Cross River State and visit the governor to discuss more collaborations that can fast track the common goal of regular power supply to the state’s households, businesses, and industries.
The minister further disclosed that his tour included an assessment of various power infrastructures across the State, including generating plants, transmission infrastructure, and distribution networks.
“Today, we undertook a working tour of power infrastructures across Cross River State, including generating plants, transmission power infrastructure, and distribution power infrastructure,” the Minister said.
He stressed on the importance of collaboration between the federal and state governments to enhance the electricity supply in the state, adding that the productivity of the Calabar Power Generating Plant under the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, “happens to be the most active and the most productive of the 10 power plants being run by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company. The plant has a capacity of 625 megawatts, and I believe it can serve the nation better with proper maintenance and public cooperation.”
The Minister called for public co-operation in terms of payment of electricity bills and avoiding power theft, stressing that such responsibilities were crucial for the sustainability of the power infrastructure.
“Our president, under his Renewed Hope Agenda , has chosen power to revive other critical sectors of the economy, citizens are expected to protect these collective assets from vandalism,” he said.
