Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a bold move to address power supply challenges, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says his administration has commenced synergizing with critical stakeholders in the power sector to ensure 24-hour electricity supply across the State.
Governor Fubara speaking through the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Solomon Eke, said Rivers State Ministry of Power has started working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Generation companies, GenCos, and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHED, to achieve the anticipated goal.
Eke disclosed these at the presentation of a 33KVA capacity electricity transformer to Rumueprikom Community, the country home of his predecessor and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He explained that the transformer had been provided as a sequel to their request to the governor, who had directed the Ministry of Power to present it to them and also complete its installation for the community so that it could be powered for actual use by the people.
He said, “The governor feels your pains. See, as people are demonstrating now, it is good to understand that in Rivers State, the governor is attending to the needs of the people. He doesn’t want our people to suffer.
“As a ministry, I want to assure you that we are working towards ensuring that we have a 24-hour light supply in Rivers State. It is something we know that we can do because we are already generating sufficient power that will make electricity available to our people in the State.
“But the reason why we do not have a 24-hour supply is because of this laxity of PHEDC. Like now, they are supposed to bring you a transformer, have they brought it? No.
“So, if everybody that requires a transformer has it and other things things to use to step down this power are made available, it will get to all of us and we will get 24-hour supply. And that is what we are working to achieve with them, and we are pressuring TCN, Gencos, and PHEDC.”
The Commissioner urged the people of Rumueprikom Community to continue to support the governor and be patient with the implementation of his various policies and programs that have started benefitting them.
“Be patient with the governor and support him because evil people want to truncate his administration. Will you allow that? The governor means well for the people, please give him all the support.
“He is the only governor who has boldly received the protesters, engaged them, and addressed their concerns. He came out to tell them that he felt their pains and assured them that he would alleviate those problems. He has started putting words into action. This is part of it, and other areas.”
Receiving the transformer, the Rumuepirikom Community Development Chairman, Nnamdi Nyeche, lauded Governor Fubara for his prompt response to their appeal.
“It has not been long we asked for this transformer. We have been confronted with the difficulties of getting a transformer but it didn’t take us, like three months, that we had asked for it and it is here, a brand new 33KVA transformer from the Governor.
“He has come to our aid to make us to have light. For the past three years, we have not been having light around here. He is not only bringing the transformer, he has put every necessary thing that we needed to install it. We thank the governor for his magnanimity.”
The governor also donated transformers to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, RSUTH and the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, RIVCOHSMAT.
The Chief Medical Director of RSUTH, Prof. Chizindu Alikor, appreciated the gesture, saying it will enhance full and reliable power supply to the hospital.
The Provost of RIVCOHSMAT, Prof Franklin Nlerum, also thanked the governor for responding to their request and granting it swiftly.
