The bill by Lagos, a state that hosts two major power distribution companies (EKEDC and Ikeja Electric), to own its electricity market has reached its crescendo. Here, according to the lawmakers, are the implications of this to residents and businesses in the state
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Wednesday said the Electricity Bill currently before the House is the confirmation of the state government’s zeal to ensure regular and uninterrupted power supply to residents.
Platforms Africa reports that this came as the House held a stakeholders’ meeting on the bill, which if passed into law, will perform the following;
1. Empowers the state government to licence electricity firms.
2. Allows the state to generate own power.
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3. Provides the legal framework for the state to transmit electricity it generated through self or a third party, and
4. Empowers the Lagos state government to distribute electricity to unserved and underserved areas of the state.
5. In all, the bill is to ensure regular and uninterrupted power supply to residents of the state.
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The proposed law, according to the Speaker, who was represented by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, “seeks to take care of everything in the electricity sector majorly by contributing to the sustainable development of the State.”
The Speaker added that the bill establishes a mechanism for electricity planning that promotes off-grid solutions for households and micro, small and medium scale enterprises.
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“This bill is most timely because electrification is one of the most important
aspects of a viable economy and improvement of the wellbeing of the people.
“Being a responsible Government, the Lagos State government has decided to create an agency, market and fund with the responsibility of ensuring adequate access of
electricity with professional standards and modern technology.
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“The bill is pursuant to our resolve to improve the electricity situation in the State,” he said adding that Lagos is proactive by taking advantage of the movement of electricity to the concurrent list.
Speaking further about the bill, the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy, Hon. Sabur Oluwa made these known at the public hearing on the bill organised at the assembly complex.
Oluwa said the bill establishes a commercial and technical regulatory framework for the Lagos Electricity
Market to ensure reliable and universal access to electricity for all residents of the state.
“The bill outlines the creation of the Lagos State Electrification Agency to manage public electricity works and infrastructure as well as the Lagos State Electrification Fund.
“These institutions will play pivotal roles in the delivery of reliable electricity to the unserved and underserved areas of our State.
“Through these initiatives, we aim to bridge the gap in electricity supply and enhance the quality of life for all Lagosians. We understand that reliable electricity is not a luxury but a necessity.
In his comment, the Chairman, South West of the Charted Institute of Power Engineering, Vincent Umoh, urged the Assembly to ensure the bill mandated the state government to appoint technocrats with 15 years experience to head the proposed agency.
Umoh said Lagos State state Government needs about 1,000 megawatts for it to ensure stable electricity supply to residents.
Platforms Africa
