The Cross River State Government has donated 10 transformers to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) on Thursday to boost power supply in the state.
The donation was presented by Eka Williams, the State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, to PHEDC in Calabar. He said that the donation was a concrete step towards ensuring widespread electricity in the state.
Williams highlighted the proactive approach of Gov. Bassey Otu’s administration in expanding power supply to all corners of the state. He said that the initial phase of the project focused on delivering 10 transformers to enhance power generation in the metropolis.
He added efforts were underway to restore power supply to other areas without power supply for years like Bakassi and Akamkpa LGAs.
“Our engineers are working tirelessly on-site to expedite the restoration of electricity to underserved communities.
“While this underscores the government’s commitment to addressing long-standing challenges in the region, it’s crucial that we work together to protect these vital assets to ensure uninterrupted power supply,” he said.
Expressing gratitude, Gabriel Modupe, Regional Manager of PHEDC, said the collaboration between the government and the distribution company, was a testament to a shared goal of improving the lives of Cross River residents.
Modupe, who noted the essential nature of electricity in modern life, urged residents of the state to support efforts toward safeguarding power infrastructure from vandalism. He clarified the issues around billing adding that estimated billing mostly affected customers without meters.
“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s capping policy is a guide for accurate billing in the absence of meters.
“We, however, reassure customers of ongoing initiatives to provide free meters and the introduction of Meter Asset Providers to facilitate meter installations while ensuring equitable billing practices,” he added.
The distribution of the transformers which commenced immediately was to communities in the state that had initially applied for them.
The Commissioner concluded that “The newly acquired 10 Electromagnetic Induction Machines ( Transformers) as Approved by H.E Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, The Executive Governor Of Cross River State To The Regional Manager PHED calabar, Dr Gabriel Modupe are for immediate Installations at different locations in Calabar.”
