Commissioner: A’Ibom airport was powered by generators for 12 years

Akan Okon, commissioner for housing and special duties in Akwa Ibom, says state government has made significant progress at the Ibom international airport.

He attributed this to the importance Udom Emmanuel, governor of the state, attaches to infrastructure.

“The Akwa Ibom Airport in Uyo also underscores a huge investment in the aviation sector by the state government,” he said at a programme in Uyo.

“The airport was powered by generators for 12 years. A whopping N25 million was spent monthly for fuelling the generators, apart from other expenses on maintenance.

“Now, two big transformers-12 megawatts each- are erected outside to guarantee regular electricity supply.

“Our Airport has been run on generator since inception. But I am happy to tell you that this government has successfully completed a power substation to power the Airport. We believe this is going to ensure that the Airport is run efficiently.”

In addition, 22 compact transformers have been installed at the airport, Okon said, adding that the airport was built by the state government to boost the economy of the state.

“Notwithstanding that the resources that is available to us is not the way it used to be, but the government attaches importance to such infrastructure,” he said.