AKWA IBOM FACES BLACKOUT AMID DISPUTE BETWEEN IBOM POWER AND GAS SUPPLIER. (PHOTO).

 Akwa Ibom Faces Blackout Amid Dispute Between Ibom Power and Gas Supplier

Akwa Ibom State is currently experiencing a widespread blackout due to an unresolved dispute between Ibom Power Company (IPC) and Savannah Energy, the supplier of gas to the state-owned power plant.

While power outages caused by the collapse of the national grid have affected other regions, Ibom Power had previously kept the state operating on "Island Mode," unaffected by grid failures. However, the company confirmed on Thursday that the ongoing outage, which began on Wednesday, was the result of a disruption in gas supply.

Meyen Etukudo, Managing Director of Ibom Power, stated that Savannah Energy had halted gas deliveries to the plant due to a payment dispute. This loss of gas supply coincided with a fault on the 132kV Itu-Aba Transmission Line, which carries power from the national grid to Akwa Ibom, exacerbating the power crisis.

While the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is working to fix the fault on the 132kV line, which would restore power from the national grid, Etukudo said Ibom Power has been in discussions with Savannah Energy to resolve the issue. Savannah Energy, however, has insisted on withholding gas supply until the outstanding payment issues are settled.

At the time of reporting, Savannah Energy had not issued a formal response, but sources confirmed that the two companies were engaged in ongoing reconciliation talks. The disagreement over invoiced payments has left the plant idle, with no gas supply, while the fault on the national grid adds to the power shortage in the state.

"The plant is fully operational; it’s just the gas supply that has been cut off," a source explained.