Navy restores power to A’Ibom community after 15 years
The Nigerian Navy has restored electricity to Nduk community in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State after more than 15 years without power, in honour of Rear Admiral Aniefiok Uko, who hails from the community.
The intervention followed the rehabilitation of the community’s electricity infrastructure and the installation of a new 300KVA transformer.
The Nigerian Navy has restored electricity to Nduk community in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State after more than 15 years without power, in honour of Rear Admiral Aniefiok Uko, who hails from the community.
The intervention followed the rehabilitation of the community’s electricity infrastructure and the installation of a new 300KVA transformer.
The project was executed under the Civil-Military Cooperation intervention programme approved by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, and funded by the Nigerian Navy through the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the community council hall on Wednesday, Abbas said the Navy recognised that the security and prosperity of the nation were strengthened when communities were empowered through meaningful development.
Abbas, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, said the understanding had continued to guide the Navy’s civil-military cooperation efforts.
He said the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Scheme was designed to address critical community needs while fostering stronger bonds between the Armed Forces and the communities they served.
“It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today to witness the commissioning of this project for this community after a period of 15 years.
“The Nigerian Navy recognises that the security and prosperity of our nation are strengthened when communities are empowered through meaningful development.
“This understanding has continued to guide the Nigerian Navy’s civil-military cooperation efforts and the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Scheme, which seeks to address critical issues while fostering stronger bonds between the Armed Forces and the communities they serve,” Abbas said.
The CNS described the electrification project as timely and impactful, stressing that the Navy remained committed not only to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain but also to contributing to national development through community-based interventions.
He said the project would improve the quality of life of residents and urged the community to take ownership of the facility by protecting it from vandalism and theft to ensure its sustainability for future generations.
Abbas also commended the project facilitator for identifying the community’s critical development needs.
In his remarks, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno thanked the Nigerian Navy for its contribution to improving the quality of life in rural communities.
Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Power, Iniobong Robson, said the CNS Special Intervention projects aligned with his administration’s ARISE agenda, particularly its focus on addressing development challenges and improving the security and welfare of rural communities.
Earlier, the project facilitator, Rear Admiral Aniefiok Uko, expressed appreciation to the CNS for what he described as his visionary leadership.
Uko said the CNS intervention projects were conceived to bridge development gaps in rural communities, strengthen relationships between the military and civilians, and contribute to national development through critical interventions.
He disclosed that Nduk community had endured 15 years without electricity, saying the prolonged absence of power had left residents in darkness at night, heightened insecurity and restricted meaningful economic and social activities.
The restored electricity, he said, would provide the community with renewed opportunities for economic activity and improved living conditions.
