Lawmaker, Omini, Express Concern Over Power Outage in Yakurr Communities, Promises Active Collaboration With PHEDC
Lawmaker, Omini, Express Concern Over Power Outage in Yakurr Communities, Promises Active Collaboration With PHEDC
Ndifereke BASSEY
MEMBER Representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency, Cross River House of Assembly.Hon. Cyril James Omini, has assured his constituents that something drastic is being done to address the power outage within the community.
Omini further assured that the voices have not only been heard but are actively driving the steps we are taking to resolve this long standing issue, explaining that he fully understand how crucial stable power supply is to our daily lives, businesses, and overall development.
Expressing deep concern, frustration and challenges caused by the persistent power supply issues, the lawmaker said: "As your representative in the Cross River State House of Assembly, I have been working tirelessly on several fronts to see a turn around on this unpalatable situation. In addition to my individual efforts.
" I am also collaborating with several stakeholders and concerned authorities to ensure we collectively tackle this challenge with a unified and strategic approach by engaging with PHED management as my team and I recently met with the manager of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) in Ugep to discuss the electricity situation even as we acknowledge a handful of challenges faced in finding a lasting solution to this issues. The meeting, however, served as a stepping stone, laying the groundwork for further engagement on our collective needs.
"Budgetary Advocacy for Yakurr LGA: Understanding the gravity of the situation, I have successfully advocated for the inclusion of funding in this year's budget to restore our connection to the Calabar Power Station. This marks a significant step forward, as reliance on electricity from another state has proven unsustainable. While the restoration process might take a while due to the ongoing construction of necessary power infrastructure, it represents a bold and sustainable long-term solution.
"Collaboration with State Authorities: In collaboration with the Cross River State Ministry of Power, plans are underway for a joint visit to the PHED Station in Enugu. This visit will prioritize the immediate improvements required to enhance power generation and distribution in our Constituency.
"Legislative Action: The Cross River State House of Assembly is currently deliberating on the "Cross River State Electricity Bill" This landmark legislation, once passed, will empower the state to generate and distribute electricity independently. It also includes provisions to regulate private sector electricity operators and establish an Electricity Regulatory Commission to ensure fairness and efficiency in power distribution.
"Partnership with Federal Representatives: In addition to my individual efforts, I am also collaborating with Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, the Senator representing the Central Senatorial District, and Hon. Alex Egbona, the member representing Yakurr/Abi Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, to ensure we collectively tackle this challenge with a unified and strategic approach."
Acknowledging that addressing the electricity crisis will take a bit of time, he again assured of his committment in collaborating with other stakeholders towards resolving this challenge and improving the quality of life not just for our Constituency but for Yakurr local government area at large.
