The Akwa Ibom State Government has refuted claims that it plans to sell the state-owned Ibom Power Company, describing the report as entirely untrue.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Uyo, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said the publication by Guide Newspaper was “a wicked fabrication containing false, malicious and unfounded allegations.”
“The said publication is a wicked fabrication and should be dismissed in its entirety by the public,” Umanah stated.
He stressed that at no point had the administration of Governor Umo Eno approved the sale of the power plant, either as scrap or in any form.
“At no time has the government approved the sale of Ibom Power Company. Such a claim exists only in the imagination of mischief-makers intent on misleading the public,” he added.
The Akwa Ibom State Government says its focus is on strengthening and repositioning Ibom Power Company, rather than selling it off as reported.
Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, disclosed that the state is currently working to clear a $9 million loan obtained from Afreximbank to stabilise the company’s operations.
He revealed that Governor Umo Eno approved a quarterly repayment plan of $560,000 starting from March 15, 2025.
“This decisive action clearly reflects a government focused on revival, stability and long-term value preservation, not liquidation,” Umanah said.
akwa ibom begins private sector partnership in power sector, retains ownership
The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to involve private investors in its electricity sector through a structured partnership arrangement, while maintaining full ownership of its assets.
According to the Commissioner for Information, the initiative is part of a broader reform programme aimed at improving efficiency in power generation and distribution.
“The programme is designed to attract credible private investment and technical expertise while retaining full government ownership,” he explained.
Umanah also highlighted steps already taken, including the creation of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission and Ibom Electricity Holdings Limited to manage state-owned power assets.
He added that despite current outages in some areas, the government is engaging relevant authorities to improve electricity supply across the state.
