After Two Years Of Darkness, Minister Intervenes, Restores Electricity In Akpabuyo

Residents of Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State are currently experiencing new life as electricity was restored to the area, Thursday after over two years of darkness.

This was made possible through the intervention of the Honourable Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, OFR, in the face-off between the local government and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), responsible for power supply in the area.

PHED had accused of the people of refusal to pay electricity bills as well as hostility to staff who go there to enforce bill payment through disconnection. 

After failing to resolve the issues, PHED disconnected power supply to the entire local government, a development that had caused protracted protest in the area over power outage.

Prominent leaders from the local government including the Managing Director of Cross River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Bassey Nkposong had approached, appealing to him to intervene with the view to resolving the issues to restore power to the area.

About three weeks ago, when the State Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Barr. Alphonsus Eba led members of the state executive council on a courtesy visit to the Minister, the party reminded the Minister of the issue again and he assured that he was already on top the issue. 

The Minister during the meeting with party executives noted that he had addressed the issues to a considerable level and was sure that before the end of the month, power will be restored in the local government. 

Reacting to the development, Engr. Nkposong said that his cellphone's battery ran down as as result of calls from his people expressing their excitement over the development. 

Nkposong said that, "our joy is limitless. Since morning, I've been receiving calls and messages from our people expressing their excitement and thanking the Minister. Already, our elders have started mobilizing a high delegation that'll go and thank the Minister on our behalf. We're happy and  thankful to the Minister and President Muhammadu Buhari for the power restoration after such a long time in darkness ". 

The APC had earlier, issued a statement thanked the Minister for his intervention and keeping to his promise of restoring power supply to the area before the end of the month. 

Erasmus Ekpang, State Publicity Secretary of the party in a statement, quoted the State Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar Eba Esq. as saying that "the Party is pleased to thank the Honourable Minister of State, Power for keeping to his word to look into the electricity challenges being faced by Akpabuyo local government and taking prompt action".