The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of five pioneer commissioners of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC), following the screening and approval process conducted at plenary.
The confirmation was announced on Tuesday by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, during sitting at the old Assembly Chamber, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.
The confirmed commissioners are Engr. Ubong Etukudoh (Engineering); Dr Valerie Okon Obot (Finance and Corporate Services); Mr Paul Okon (Economic Regulation); Dr Kalu Ukoha (Policy, Planning and Innovation); and Ms Arit Okon-Uya (Stakeholder Engagement and Consumer Affairs).
Their confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions, presented by its Chairman, Hon. Aniefiok Attah, representing Nsit Atai State Constituency.
The House Leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, moved the motion for their confirmation, which was seconded by the Deputy Leader, Hon. Nsidibe Akata.
Governor Umo Eno had earlier forwarded the names of the nominees to the Assembly on Thursday, April 16, 2026, marking the first set of commissioners submitted since the passage of the state’s electricity bill in 2024.
Lawmakers, during the screening exercise, commended the governor for appointing professionals they described as capable of strengthening efforts to address electricity challenges and improve regulatory efficiency in the state’s power sector.
Hon. Udobia Friday Udo, representing Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency, noted that adherence to due process in the selection of competent individuals for public service would enhance governance outcomes and service delivery.
In a related development during the same plenary, the House urged the state government to sustain the construction of perimeter fencing around public secondary schools as part of measures to curb criminal activities and safeguard school infrastructure.
The Assembly also called for the provision of modern science laboratories across public secondary schools in the state to improve learning outcomes in science education.
Lawmakers further recommended the involvement of Ibom Community Watch and other security agencies in efforts to prevent vandalism in schools.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a report by the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Onofiok Kenim, who stated that consultations were held with the Ministry of Education, the State Secondary Education Board, and other stakeholders in the sector.
The matter arose from a motion earlier presented before the House on March 5, 2026, seeking urgent intervention in the equipping and standardisation of science laboratories in public secondary schools across Akwa Ibom State.
Speaker Otong subsequently directed the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok, to transmit the House resolutions to the Governor for implementation.
Plenary was thereafter adjourned to Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 12 noon.
By Ndifreke Bassey
