Israel Umoh
There is renewed hope among the residents as 25 transformers have been donated to 24 electoral wards in the two electricity-starved Ukanafun and Oruk Anam Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, ending years of prolonged darkness and lack of electricity supply.
The intervention widely held by residents was spearheaded by the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, thus sparking hope of reviving small businesses, improving security, checking rural-urban drift and enhancing quality of life among the affected rural communities.
The project estimated at more than one N1 billion includes fortifying the transformers, provision and pegging of electric poles, provision and stringing of wires, and fitting accessories to ensuring electricity is provided at the local government headquarters in the next month before it is extended to the different wards.
Also read: Idem’s N1bn Grant: Shettima Tasks Lawmakers to Drive Impact at the Grassroots
Ukanafun created in 1976 has 87 villages while Oruk Anam Local Government Area created in 1989 with 171 villages were groped in darkness for years due to vandalisation of electric poles and wires by unknown persons.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Idem, who had released N1 billion to 1,000 constituents in December 2025 and donated more than 500 bags of rice for Christmas celebration, thanked his constituents for patience and understanding with him after his pledge to restore electricity to the areas.
The Chairman, House Committee on Public Procurement reminded the people that apart from taking part in law making and oversight functions, representation was more critical to the people, saying ‘‘Without it, my duty as a law-maker would be incomplete.’’
He said as part of the representation, he has donated 25 units of 500KVA/33 KV Line transformers to Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, with each of the 24 wards receiving one transformer.
According to him, ‘‘This is in fulfillment of the promise I made to my constituents towards the end of 2025, where I pledged to restore electricity within 90 days, to areas where there was total breakdown of power infrastructure, leading to lack of electricity supply spanning over five years in Ukanafun local government area.
‘‘However, following the need to extend the gesture to other affected communities in sister Oruk Anam Local Government Area, the plan was delayed in order to expand modalities to cover the entire 24 wards of the federal constituency.
‘‘The delay was also occasioned by the need to take delivery of the 25 units of 500KVA/33 KV Line transformers, which have higher power capacity (KVA), higher primary voltage rating (KV), bigger size, better insulation requirements, and wider power distribution network, as against the 300KVA/11KV line transformers, which are designed for smaller, local distribution, and serve domestic power supply.
‘‘With the plan now concluded, the electrification project is to commence immediately across the affected communities in the federal constituency.’’
He noted that though there was no electricity in the areas, he decided to make a sacrifice to complement the ARISE Agenda of the the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno before the state and Federal Governments would intervene.
The Ukanafun-born parliamentarian told the constituents that with the transformers all distributed to the respective wards, installation and connection will first be carried out in communities whose power infrastructure had totally collapsed, with immediate effect.
‘‘They should also note that installation and connection in other areas will be carried out in phases, with a commitment that all the 24 wards in the Federal Constituency will ultimately be covered and connected to the national grid.
‘‘Therefore, any ward that has not been covered in the first phase of the project, tagged “Rep. Unyime Idem Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency Electricity Restoration Initiative,” should kindly exercise patience, as it will certainly have its turn in the next phase.’’
Idem, therefore, enjoined the beneficiaries to the protect the infrastructure to avoid theft and to refrain from vandalisation of the infrastructure.
To ensure seamless distribution, installation and protection of the transformers across the 24 wards of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, I have set up two committees – Implementation Committee and Security Committee.
The Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Power, Mr. Iniobong Robson extolled Rep Idem for providing the 25 transformers to his constituents, assuring that the State Government would complement the gesture by ensuring that more villages are linked to the National Grid.
Robson who encouraged the people to protect the facilities later unveiled the transformers at the Police Station, Ikot Udo Obobo.
Hon Aniekan Akpan, the factional PDP Chairman lamented that Ukanfun has no electricity supply for a long time and commanded Holy Fire to consume anybody who will steal the components of the transformers.
Akpan described Idem’s representation as unprecedented and enjoined the beneficiaries to protect the transformers to avoid vandalisation.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ukanafun, Mr. Uyo Ukpanah and his counterpart from Oruk Anam, Elder Festus Akpan, had hailed Idem for the gesture and urged the people to preserve the transformers.
Meanwhile, Implementation and Security committees were set up.
Implementation Committee
- Obong James Ekekere – Chairman
- Hon. Dr. Paul Udofia – Secretary
- Hon. Sampson Idiong
- Hon. Emem Udom
- Rt. Hon. Elder Udo Kierien Akpan
- Dr. Frank Ekpenyong
- Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John
- Hon. Elder Saturday Akpan
- Rt. Hon. Elder Sunday Festus Akpan
- Hon. Uyo Ukpanah
- Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet
- Hon. Elder Sunday Okoko
- Hon. Dr. David Umoessien
- Hon. Dr. Godwin Inyieng
- Dr. Morgan Ekanem
- Mr. Aniefiok Johnson
- Rt. Hon. Kingsley Frank
- Elder Chief Bassey Essien
- Hon. Nseobong Umanah
- Dr. Amadu Atai
- Hon. Barr. Idongesit Umoh
- Dr. Effiong Udongwo
- Hon. Otobong Jonathan Akpan
- Mr. Census Ekpu
- Elder Samuel Akpan
- Hon. Dr. Ofonime Akpan
- Elder Imo Ukpe
- Hon. Anthony Akpan
- Hon. (Dr.) Nsikak Udoibe
- Engr. Akaninyene Ukpanah
- Hon. Elder Okon Ekpo
- Mr. Sunday Joseph Umoyo
- Hon. Amos Udom
- Hon. Isaac Ukut
- Mr. Friday Otongaran
- Hon. Uwem Malachy Ikpong
- Mr. Aniemek Friday Udo
- Engr. Inibehe Ukpanah
The implementation Committee, made up of members drawn from all 24 wards of the federal constituency, shall take delivery of the transformers for their respective wards and liaise with community leaders to decide suitable location for the installation.
Security Committee
Members of the security committee are as follows:
- Deac. Ndianabasi Udom – Chairman
- Comrade Sylvester Ebong – Secretary
- Obong Prince Akpan Ikim
- Okuku Mbuotidem Idut
- Barr. Abasiono Udomfu
- Dr. Sunny M. Piate
- DSP. James Harry Ukata
- Hon. Okokon Etiebet
- Hon. Effiom Abai
- Hon. Nkereuwem Udofia
- Mr. Enobong Ntukidem
- Barr. Efremfon Usenideh
- Hon. Umakiso Victor Umo
- Hon. Saturday Benjamin
- Mr. Emmanuel Ukoudom
- Mr. Emmanuel Udomisoh
- Hon. Elder Godwin Ekpe
- Mr. Anietie Idiong
- Mr. Kingdom Nkantion
- Mr. Ediong Charles
- Prince Nsenam George Iwoketok
- Mr. Shadrach Ekpo
- Mr. Esitmbom John
- Mr. Aniebiet Umouko
- Hon. Uduak Udoetuk
- Hon. Ufokobong Owen
- Hon. Iniodu Solomon
- Mr. Clayton Eyeneka
- Mr. Uduak Akpaiya
- Mr. Ukeme Peter
- Mr. Odudu Macaulay
- CP Ita Udom (Rtd)
- Hon. Emmanuel Koka
- Engr. Twoweeks Umoh
- Mr. Ututofon Udom
- Elder Dr. Uwem Akpanukoh
- Hon. Elijah Akpan
- Mr. Iniobong Mark Young
- Mr. Ekong Udom
- Ndifreke Otu
The security committee, made up of members drawn from all 24 wards of the federal constituency, shall;
– Set up a committee at the ward level.
– The committee so set up at the ward level will include one nominee from the village council and another nominee from the youth leadership of the community in the ward.
– the committee shall secure the transformers and other electricity infrastructure/installation within their ward from vandalism and theft.
