June 5 (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has given the newly inaugurated Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC) an 18-month deadline to drive reforms to deliver stable and reliable electricity across the state.
The governor issued the directive on Thursday during the inauguration of the five-member commission at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Uyo, describing the body as a key institution in the state’s electricity sector reform programme.
Eno said the establishment of AKSERC marked a major milestone in the state’s efforts to build a competitive and efficiently regulated electricity market capable of attracting investment, supporting industrial growth and improving power supply to residents.
He noted that the state government adopted the Akwa Ibom Electricity Sector Reform Programme following its Electricity Summit in September 2025 and has since pursued a strategic roadmap designed to achieve energy security and sustainable economic development.
According to him, the commission will serve as the sole regulator of electricity business transactions within Akwa Ibom State in line with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Law 2025.
The governor directed the commission to work with relevant federal agencies to secure the transfer of the full scope of the state’s electricity regulatory powers and engage the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) and other stakeholders on the establishment of a state electricity distribution company.
He also instructed the commission to develop an implementation tracker to cover its operational plans and budget performance, to enable government monitoring of its programmes and targets.
Eno said the state was positioning its electricity market as a credible component of Nigeria’s power sector, with the objective of attracting operators and investors while ensuring affordable and sustainable electricity for consumers.
The governor attributed the state’s progress in the power sector to reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu through the Electricity Act 2023, which allows states to assume greater responsibilities in electricity regulation and market development.
He also commended the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for passing the state’s electricity law and confirming the commission’s members.
Mrs Arit Uya was inaugurated as Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of AKSERC as well as Commissioner for Stakeholder Engagement and Consumer Affairs, while Dr Kalu Ukoha will serve as Vice Chairman and Commissioner for Policy, Planning and Innovation.
Other members are Engr. Ubong Etukudoh, Commissioner for Engineering Services; Dr Valerie Obot, Commissioner for Finance and Corporate Support; and Mr Paul Okon, Commissioner for Economic Regulation.
The governor disclosed that the state has incorporated Ibom Electricity Holding Limited as a vehicle for managing electricity assets and investments and has commenced the regularisation of its shareholding interests in 4Power Consortium Limited and PHED as part of plans to establish a dedicated Akwa Ibom electricity distribution subsidiary.
Responding on behalf of the commission, Uya pledged that members would discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, accountability and integrity to meet the expectations of the government and the people of Akwa Ibom State.
