Governor Bassey Otu, his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, and several African government representatives were left embarrassed as repeated power outages disrupted the just-concluded sixth edition of the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network, AsFNET, meeting in Calabar, Cross River State.
The blackouts, which reportedly occurred more than 20 times during the three-day event, repeatedly interrupted proceedings attended by government officials from several African countries, representatives of Nigerian states and organised private sector operators.
One of the most embarrassing moments occurred during the presentation of the event’s communique by Governor Otu, when another power outage interrupted his delivery.
Among the foreign delegations at the event were representatives from Comoros, Kenya, Tanzania, The Gambia and South Africa, alongside representatives of Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna and other Nigerian states.
The meeting, which was designed to promote cooperation among sub-national governments and attract investments to participating states, ironically became a stage for repeated demonstrations of the electricity challenges confronting the host state.
The interruptions also left members of the organised private sector and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, who attended the gathering, visibly uncomfortable, particularly as the state was showcasing its investment opportunities to potential partners.
Some state government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed the embarrassment on the event’s organisers, insisting that substantial funds had been released for the successful hosting of the three-day gathering.
However, private sector representatives and MAN officials reportedly said their organisations had also made significant financial contributions towards the event.
The development has triggered calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the repeated power failures, with some participants demanding the removal of officials found responsible for the lapses.
For a gathering intended to project Cross River as an attractive destination for investors, the persistent darkness left an unfortunate impression on visiting dignitaries and business operators.
