Date Published: 12/20/09

Dear Editor,

A'Ibom now with uninterrupted power

I live in Eket in Akwa Ibom State. Reading the newspapers of December 16, 2009 I gathered that Akwa Ibom State, which I live in, now enjoys uninterrupted electricity due to the inauguration of the Independent Power Project, IPP. But we know that this project was inaugurated by Obasanjo in April 2007, awaiting just the “transmission lines”.

Daily Independent newspaper on its page 7 story entitled “Akwa Ibom Commissions IPP, Enjoys Power Supply” stated that “After years of anxiety, Akwa Ibom has become the first state to enjoy independent power supply as its Independent Power Plant (IPP) has finally been turned on to provide uninterrupted power to the people of Eket and its environs, in the first instance”. The Nigerian Tribune of the same day in its story on page 12 entitled “Akwa Ibom inaugurates independent power project”, stated almost the same thing in its opening paragraph. But the most damning was This Day newspaper story on page 6, anchored by one Okon Bassey in Uyo, which stated “Akwa Ibom has in the last four months enjoyed uninterrupted power supply given the successful completion of its Independent Power Plant (IPP) at Ikot-abasi LGA. All the communities within 10 kilometres from the plant have experienced smooth supply of electricity”. Why the falsehood?

At no time have we in Eket lived with any uninterrupted power supply in a complete day. As I am writing this piece (4p.m 16/12/09), the whole of Eket and environs have no light. Therefore if the media that suppose to inform adequately are helping to cover up lies, then we are in danger. We have had lots of annoying lies from government in power. We heard of donation of non-existing 17 dialysis machines to University of Uyo Hospital. We know of free and compulsory education up to SSS-3 but this has remained without any additional classrooms built by the present administration. Before the present administration, we benefited free qualitative education up to JSS-3. The only thing the present administration added was “compulsory” and raising the bar of “free” from JSS-3 to SSS-3; but what is now happening is that people are inconveniently crowded in classrooms and examinations taken under the trees.  All these lies should stop and the media should help us in this direction.

Okon Uwem,

Plot 650 Atabong Road,

EKET, Akwa Ibom State.