By Ubong Essien
The news that the Distinguished Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio had facilitated the donation and installment of Transformers from the Presidency to his people back home in Akwa Ibom State at the beginning of this year was greeted with great excitement and relief.
The move was seen as a sound idea to lighten up dark communities that were submerged in complete darkness since August last year, a development that has crippled many business concern within the City Centre.
Ikot Ekpene LGA and some of its communities were part of this benevolent development and had cause to be grateful to the Senate President. But the good thing that was intended by the uncommon Senator has been turned sour by the Contractor handling the installation, KENVIC MOORE BIZ VENTURES NIG. LTS.
An eye witness in one of the sub-stations at Uyo Road by Sanni Ogun Street opposite Four Points by Sheraton Hotel during the installation said he noticed them spaying some aluminum facilities with copper, and subsequently installed, but never knew the meaning and implications. Jubilation had cut across the community that had been without light for about 8 months when the light was finally on.
But just about a month after the restoration of light, residents of Sanni Ogun Street, Etok Akpan Street, Etok Eren Street and Ebu Road are still experiencing epileptic power supply in town. A new Transformer? This gives room for tongue wagging.
It was then understood that glitches was as a result of installation of aluminum facilities instead of the previous copper, as such, the aluminum can’t withstand the heat on the system. Hence, the frequent problem of failure in power supply within the Township.
According to experts, the Solid Link, 300 single core(Amour) cable, Feeder Pillar that are now installed are aluminum against the previous copper. Who knows whether the said new transformer just installed isn’t a refurbished one with aluminum coil against the previous copper.
Some of the eye witnesses from the community said that when they noticed the Contractor replacing the original facilities with the fake ones, they tried to call the attention of the Contractor on site. But the Contractor was rude and arrogant, rebuking them that if they wouldn’t want him to do his work that he was going, he would abandon the work and nothing will happen.
He went away with the copper matterials and even the old transformer claiming that he was taking them to PHED office, which PHED have refuted. The Contractor was heard saying that replacing the original facilities was as directed by the facilitator of the work. But it is quite doubtful that the Senate President who is a lover of good things would mean that for his people.
As it is, the community is calling on the KENVIC MOORE BIZ VENTURES NIG. LTD and its management to immediately return and replace the original 300 single core(Amour) cable, Solid link, Feeder Pillar, etc, all copper. The community cannot afford to receive benevolence with tears and pains.
With this experience, it’s now a call on other communities affected by this installation to be very vigilant to resist the usurpation by the Contractor.
The Senate President is not a devil who gives cap in exchange for the head. The Contractor should stop logging the head of the Senate President against his people and do the right thing, so that the residents of Ikot Ekpene Township will enjoy the dividends of democracy. The job contractor and “NEPA” or PHED people should be called to order.
