The Open Forum for Humanity Organisation (OFHO) has criticised the Akwa Ibom State Government’s reported plan to sell the Ibom Power Company, a state-owned power generation asset, warning that the proposed move could undermine local energy security and harm long-term economic interests. OFHO described the initiative as ill-timed and lacking adequate stakeholder consultation, amidst ongoing challenges in the state’s power sector.
Ibom Power Company, which has struggled with operational inefficiencies and limited capacity utilisation, remains central to Akwa Ibom’s aspirations for reliable electricity supply and industrial growth. Critics of the proposed sale say that privatising such strategic infrastructure without clear guarantees for improved service delivery or protections for jobs and local interests could be counterproductive at a time when residents and businesses already contend with unreliable energy.
OFHO’s statement urged the government to instead prioritise transparent reforms, performance audits and public engagement to strengthen the plant’s viability, encouraging investments in upgrades and partnerships that enhance capacity rather than outright disposal. The group also called on policymakers to align power sector decisions with broader economic development objectives for the state.
The state government has not yet provided an official detailed response to OFHO’s concerns, and the fate of the Ibom Power asset remains a subject of public and political debate.
