The National Assembly has endorsed a Bill aimed at empowering host communities of various thermal power stations in the country.

This followed the resolve by the Senate to concur to the Bill sponsored by Mr Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodu federal constituency of Lagos state.

The legislation seeks to amend the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, to address the concerns of host communities and for related matters.

When assented to by the President, host communities, particularly communities around the Egbin Thermal Power Station in Ikorodu Federal Constituency, will get 5 percent of the actual annual operating expenditure for the preceding financial year from the various Power Generating Companies in Nigeria (GENCOs) operating within their community.

The funds will be channelled to the development of those communities and ameliorating impact of the activities of these GENCOs.

Benson who expressed happiness over the development expressed gratitude to his colleagues in the national Assembly over their overwhelming support for the initiative.

“This is a milestone for us as the communities will be able to glean the full benefits of hosting the GENCOs,” he said.

” It will also guide GENCOs in providing targeted developmental projects that will impact on the lives of our people, their host communities.

“I thank my fellow legislators in the Senate and House of Representatives for their commitment to the passage of this bill and urge our listening President to kindly assent to this bill promptly.”