Residents of Ikot Nte village, the hometown of Super Eagles’ Captain William Troost-Ekong, have raised concerns over a prolonged power outage that has left their community in darkness for nearly 20 years.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Village Head, Chief Joshua Amos, revealed that the community, situated in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has been without electricity for 19 years, severely impacting businesses and social activities.
“This is the 19th year we have been without power, and it appears that the Akwa Ibom State government is indifferent to our plight,” Amos lamented.
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He pointed out that Ikot Nte, the hometown of Ufot Ekong—celebrated for his academic achievements in Japan and two patents in electric car development—had only enjoyed two months of electricity before the supply was completely cut off.
Beyond the power crisis, the village head raised concerns about other critical issues, including the deteriorating buildings and staff quarters at the Community Secondary School in Ikot Nte and the poor condition of the Ikot Obio Eka-Ikot Ibok-Ikot Nte-Mbioto Road, a vital route to the General Hospital in Mbioto.
Despite these challenges, he commended the efforts of Ikot Nte indigenes in the diaspora, particularly the Ikot Nte USA World Forum, for funding essential projects such as borehole water facilities, solar-powered streetlights, and road grading to ease the community’s hardships.
“Our sons and daughters abroad have made it possible for us to live with some dignity. They have continued to support us despite the government’s neglect, and we will keep praying for them,” he said.
Community project coordinator Jonathan Abasiubong attributed the blackout to a failure in the community’s transformer, which malfunctioned shortly after its commissioning by former Governor Victor Attah on February 24, 2006.
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