Uyo – The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed as misleading and unfounded an open letter questioning the composition of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC), insisting that appointments into the Commission were based on merit, professional competence, and extensive experience in electricity regulation, engineering, energy economics, and public sector governance.
The State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, stated this in a release responding to an open letter addressed to Governor Umo Eno by Mr. Collins Ette Jackson.
Umanah described claims regarding the alleged lack of statutory and technical competence within AKSERC as a selective interpretation of the law and a misunderstanding of the qualifications and professional backgrounds of the Commission’s members.
He further cautioned against what he described as persistent negativism by individuals determined to undermine the government’s efforts to reform and transform the state’s power sector.
According to the Commissioner, the establishment and inauguration of AKSERC represent a major milestone in the implementation of Akwa Ibom State’s electricity reform agenda following the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023 and the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Law 2025.
He noted that the reforms are designed to position the state to exercise greater regulatory control over its electricity market, attract private investment, improve power supply, strengthen electricity governance, and accelerate economic development.
Highlighting achievements already recorded, Umanah listed the enactment of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Law 2025, the successful hosting of the First Akwa Ibom Electricity Summit in 2025, the strengthening of institutional frameworks for electricity governance, the advancement of state-level regulatory structures, and improved engagement with critical industry stakeholders.
He added that the reforms are expected to encourage private-sector participation in electricity generation, distribution, and embedded power projects, while improving the performance of strategic energy assets such as the Ibom Power Plant.
The Commissioner explained that AKSERC was deliberately structured as a multidisciplinary regulatory institution and would, upon full operationalisation, function through specialised departments headed by qualified professionals responsible for licensing, technical regulation, market operations, consumer protection, compliance monitoring, and economic regulation.
“This structure is consistent with global best practices, where commissioners provide strategic oversight and policy direction, while technical and administrative functions are handled by specialised professionals,” he said.
Defending the qualifications of the Commission’s Chairperson, Ms. Arit Uya, Umanah described her as a seasoned regulatory governance expert with more than two decades of experience, including substantive service at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
He said her expertise spans electricity sector regulation, consumer protection, regulatory compliance, stakeholder management, and institutional development within Nigeria’s electricity governance ecosystem.
The Commissioner also highlighted the credentials of Dr. Kalu Ukoha, describing him as one of Africa’s leading electricity sector reform experts with more than 28 years of experience advising governments and institutions across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and The Gambia.
According to him, Dr. Ukoha’s contributions to electricity market restructuring, policy development, and infrastructure advisory have earned him recognition as a leading power-sector reform specialist on the continent.
Umanah further noted that Mr. Paul Okon possesses extensive expertise in electricity market economics, regulatory affairs, and energy governance, supported by academic qualifications in Statistics, Business Administration, and Energy Studies, as well as over a decade of experience in Nigeria’s electricity industry.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Valerie Obot, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, whose involvement in electricity sector reforms and institutional development in Akwa Ibom State spans several years.
On technical competence, the Commissioner pointed to Engr. Ubong Etukudoh, a COREN-certified engineer with significant experience in electricity regulation and power generation, having served both within NERC and the power generation sector.
Responding specifically to claims that the Commission does not satisfy the requirements of Section 34 of the Electricity Act 2023, Umanah maintained that the law requires a blend of expertise in electricity regulation, engineering, economics, finance, law, and related disciplines, rather than limiting appointments to any single professional category.
“The Commission clearly reflects the multidisciplinary structure contemplated by the law. Regulatory institutions around the world are intentionally composed of professionals from diverse but complementary fields. AKSERC is no exception,” he stated.
The Commissioner described suggestions that the Commission was improperly constituted as speculative, misleading, and unsupported by facts.
He urged residents to support ongoing reforms aimed at improving electricity access, attracting investment, and creating a more efficient power sector for the benefit of the people of Akwa Ibom State.
While reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, Umanah cautioned against attempts to undermine strategic institutions through misinformation and called on commentators to ensure that public discourse is guided by facts, professional realities, and a proper understanding of the law.
“The administration of Governor Umo Eno remains committed to building a modern, efficient, and sustainable electricity sector that will power economic growth, attract investment, and improve the quality of life of citizens across Akwa Ibom State,” he concluded.
By Chief Edet Isong, Publisher Newsday