Governor Umo Eno has formally inaugurated a five-member board of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission (AKSERC), tasked with transforming the state’s power sector within 18 months to guarantee reliable electricity supply and accelerate economic growth.

The commission has Ms Arit Okon Uya as Chairperson/Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner for Stakeholder Engagement and Consumer Affairs, while Dr Kalu Ukoha will serve as Vice Chairman and Commissioner for Policy, Planning and Innovation.

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Other members include: Engr. Ubong Etukudoh, Commissioner for Engineering Services; Dr Valerie Obot, Commissioner for Finance and Corporate Support; and Mr Paul Okon, Commissioner for Economic Regulation.

Speaking at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, Thursday, Governor Eno described the inauguration as a step towards actualising the need of the people in the area of stable electricity supply, as according to him, ‘as a listening Government, we feel the pain our people are going through with the inadequate supply of electricity, and we have taken concrete steps to address the issue.’

He noted that since the adoption of the Akwa Ibom Electricity Sector Reform Programme at the September 2025 Electricity Summit, the state has steadily pursued a roadmap focused on energy security, industrial expansion and sustainable economic development.

On the mandate of the commission, Eno said: “AKSERC is the sole regulator of all electricity business conducted between buyers and sellers within Akwa Ibom State. The mandate of the commission covers the regulation of electricity market activities, operators, transactions and services in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electricity Act, 2023, and the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Law, 2025. This responsibility places the Commission at the centre of our electricity transformation agenda.”

He, therefore, directed the commission to collaborate with relevant federal ministries, departments and agencies to facilitate the transfer of the state’s full electricity regulatory powers.

The Governor also charged them to work with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) and other stakeholders towards the establishment of a State electricity distribution company in a manner that is fair, transparent and commercially credible.

In addition, Eno instructed the commission to develop a programme tracker for monitoring the implementation of its operational plans and budget, stressing that AKSERC remains central to positioning the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Market as a credible and competitive component of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

“Our objective is to create an environment where operators, investors and licensees are incentivised to deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity while protecting consumer interests and promoting economic growth,” he said.

The Governor also commended the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for its support, particularly in the passage of the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Law, 2025, and confirmation of the commissioners.

Eno pronounced Ms Arit Okon Uya as Chairperson/Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner for Stakeholder Engagement and Consumer Affairs, while Dr Kalu Ukoha will serve as Vice Chairman and Commissioner for Policy, Planning and Innovation.

Other members of the commission include Engr. Ubong Etukudoh, Commissioner for Engineering Services; Dr Valerie Obot, Commissioner for Finance and Corporate Support; and Mr Paul Okon, Commissioner for Economic Regulation.

Charging the commissioners on their responsibilities, Eno urged them to deliver on the state government’s promise of regular electricity to the people of Akwa Ibom State within the next eighteen months.

The Governor disclosed that the state government has also undertaken critical institutional reforms to strengthen the electricity sector, attract investment, improve service delivery and create a sustainable electricity ecosystem.

“We have incorporated Ibom Electricity Holding Limited (IEHL) as the strategic vehicle for managing State electricity assets and investments. We have also commenced the regularisation of Akwa Ibom State’s shareholding interests in 4Power Consortium Limited and the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company as a precursor to the establishment of a dedicated Akwa Ibom State electricity distribution subsidiary,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, AKSERC Chairperson, Mrs Arit Uya pledged professionalism, integrity, accountability, teamwork and results-driven service, as she thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in the commission and assured the people of Akwa Ibom State of the board’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.

“We are also grateful for the transparent and merit-based process by which we were selected, and that remains the stance. We are committed to building a commission known for fairness, professionalism, transparency, independence and public trust,” she pledged.