Following the Federal Government’s signing of the Electricity Act 2023 into law, states in the country have been asked to take advantage of the act and generate, transmit and distribute electricity in their respective states.
This advise was given at the North West Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Stakeholders Advocacy Workshop held on Thursday at Stonehedge Hotel in Kaduna by Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations (Alliance), REEEA-A, by the President of the Alliance, Prof. Magnus Onuoha who was represented by Mr. Abba Musa (finance).
According to him, the act will allow states to become independent in the sourcing of electricity (energy) for their states which will help make electricity available, accessible and affordable.
He added that the Alliance was created out of the need to promote the development of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency sector in Nigeria to bridge the gap between the private sector and government.
“This Alliance which was established under the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) acts as a means for meeting the Energy access and affordability as provided under the Act,” he explained.
Speaking at the occasion, an Expert in Electricity sector, Barrister Aruoture Akpofure charged states to tap into the opportunities the Act provides and enjoy the financial gains it brings in the development and advancement of the country.
“The Act takes the states out of the control of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and allow them determine tariffs charged.”
While commending Enugu, Lagos and Ogun States that now generate their electricity, Akpofure enjoined states preparing to do same to have a Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) to make the process smooth.
“To make the process of independent electricity provision easy, smooth, implementable and affordable, there should be SIP on ground. This plan shows how the sector would be run and experts required for its actualisation.”
On the readiness of states, the seasoned expert explained that the Act once approved by State Houses of Assembly signed into law by their governors should be operational within 6months.
“Once signed into law these power plants should begin operation within 6months as stipulated by the Act. States can even build/have Mini Grids if they they so choose for industrial areas,” he added.
On her part and preparedness of Kebbi State, a representative of the state at the stakeholders meeting, Hauwa Usman Dosara, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Kebbi State Ministry of Justice said that immediately the State House of Assembly signed the Act into law the governor accented because he had created the ministry of Renewable Energy on assumption of office.
She added that because the state is blessed with abundance of sunlight and reasonable windspeed the state has options on how to generate its own electricity.
“The state is blessed with abundance of sunlight and reasonable windspeed, we can even use hydro power to generate power in our state. Since our Governor Nasir Idris, Kaura assumed office, he has brought transformative development to the state. It is our belief that before the end of next year our Kebbi State should have started generating, transmitting and distributing its own electricity,” she said.
