The Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Camillus Umoh, has urged Akwa Ibom residents to take ownership of all power infrastructure provided by the government for their overall benefit.

Mr Umoh, who made the call in an interview with journalists in Uyo on Wednesday, warned that anyone caught vandalising power infrastructure would face the full wrath of the law.

He added that the Akwa Ibom government had over the years repositioned itself to ensure the supply of regular electricity to its citizens.

He said that the previous administrations in the state were futuristic by ensuring regular power supply by establishing the Ibom Power Plant.

Mr Umoh added that the Ibom power plant was strategically positioned to supply power to residents of the state without connecting to the national grid.

The commissioner said that apart from aging infrastructure, vandalism had been a major problem facing power infrastructure in the state.

He said, “As end users, people should be concerned that this property and asset, which are common patrimony of everybody, should be protected; what are we doing to show joint ownership?

“That our destinies are co-joined; if anything affects it, it affects everybody. There should be citizens’ participation and co-ownership of the entire power infrastructure.

“A situation where people see an unauthorised person having access to transformers and they don’t speak out, and they are vandalised, then know that you vandalised yourself.’’

Mr Umoh said that the state government expanded the Ibom community watch to every ward in an effort to ensure protection of power infrastructure.

He stated, “The essence is for all government-critical assets that are within the community to be looked after.”

He added that the government would provide intelligence within the communities, with a fast response system in place, should anything happen.

The commissioner commended a community in the Uruk Anam Local Government Area that apprehended vandals last week.

According to him, the case is being investigated, as the culprit will be charged to court after completion of investigation to serve as a deterrent to other vandals.

“As a state, we were very futuristic and intentional about our power, anticipation and investment because we know the position of power in the economy of any nation. As a state, our state power policy is to give power to the state round the clock using available technology and with the existing and planned infrastructure.

“To achieve this, there must be citizens’ participation and citizens’ co-ownership of the entire power infrastructure,” he said. 

(NAN)