C’River: Gov. Otu’s commissioner for power, SA fight dirty over alleged sale of 2 power generators 

From, Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The commissioner for power and renewable energy, Eka Williams and the special adviser to Cross River State government on Intelligence and Security Matters, Mr. Goddy Akpama, have continued to fight over the alleged controversial sale of two power generators.

It was gathered that the two power generators was allegedly and controversially sold  to a Lagos businessman  Mr. Ade Adetunji-Adelani, during the former governor, Ben Ayade’s administration by the former director general of Scrap Metal Agency, Mr. Martins Asuquo.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the two power generators was donated by the immediate past administration to Ugep community, but was allegedly sold out by Mr. Martins Asuquo while he exited from office. 

It was learnt that governor Otu’s S.A on Intelligence and Security Matters, Akpama faulted the commissioner’s position during an interactive session with newsmen on the controversial sale of the power generators in Calabar.

He argued that the ex- scraps Metal Agency DG sold the  generators before the Ayade’s administration came to an end   and not after the expiration of the said administration as claimed by the state Commissioner for power.

Speaking on his findings about the alleged sale of the two unserviceable Matric Caterpillar Power generators installed in Ugep community by the immediate past administration of Ben Ayade to illuminate streets of Ugep community. 

The SA wondered why it is only the ex- DG alone that is being quizzed and prosecuted by the law enforcement agents, despite the fact that the police report had indicted the member representing Yakurr, one state constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly.

Akpama maintained that, “Upon looking  at the laws of the Agency,  the DG has  powers to negotiate  sales under section  2 (C) of the Cross River State Scrap Regulatory Law 2017.

“During my findings at the zone 6 command, Calabar, I discovered that   the petitioner, Lagos-based business man, Ade Adetunji-Adelani  negotiated and bought  the generators  from the ex- DG scrap agency in April 2023, the Special Adviser disclosed.

Akpama averred that the businessman was given the go ahead to take the power generators out of Ugep community after he met  every condition given to him by the Obol Opon and his  council.

In a brief reaction the  Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams, backs Mr. Peterson’s over his  involvement  in the issue , and explained that Peterson came into the matter because of the retainership  with the ministry  of power and also in charge of fixing generators for the Ministry.

In his remarks the Calabar based business man, Mr. Peterson, denied any wrongdoing stressing that his involvement in the generator issue was genuine and not illegal.

“I don’t involve myself in illegal business. “If I am found wanting, the police have the right to arrest and prosecute me. He stressed.

In his reaction to the allegations during a telephone chat, the lawmaker representing Yakurr, one state constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly Cyril Omini,  denied  Akpama’s  allegations  saying that the allegation was nothing  but cheap blackmail to tarnish his image.