• Abia adopts mini-grid regulatory framework to extend electricity access
• A’Ibom targets 24-hour power supply
Electricity consumers in the South-East geopolitical zone, under the umbrella of Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN), have advised the Federal Government to urgently create a second transmission network to grapple with the problem of constant collapse of the national grid.
Responding to the nationwide collapse of the transmission network, the electricity consumers association in the five Southeastern states also advised the Nigerian government to take a cue from Geometric Power, which is managing nine local council areas served in Aba, Abia State, which were not affected by the national blackout.
MEANWHILE, Abia State has formally adopted its Mini-Grid Regulatory Framework, which empowers states, private investors, and institutions to invest in the electricity value chain that would extend electricity access to millions of people in the state and beyond.
This came on the heels of Governor Alex Otti signing into effect the state Mini-Grid Regulation framework document that would enable private sector-driven investment in the state’s electricity generation and distribution to both unserved and underserved communities across the State.
While signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Government House, Umuahia, Otti described the event not only as the dawn of a new era for households and businesses but also as the climax of several months of planning, stakeholder engagements, confidence building, ideation, and reviews by policy experts, investors, and energy consumers.
He said: “We have gathered this afternoon to collectively adopt a new framework that would not only expand our options in the push for reliable electricity for everyone, but would ultimately serve as a catalyst for the industrialisation of Abia and economic fulfilment for millions of individuals.”
He explained that the Mini-Grid Regulatory Framework provides unambiguous answers to technical and commercial questions from investors and consumers, defining the rights and obligations of stakeholders, offering pathways to speedy resolution of disputes.
ALSO, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has assured that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) regarding the state’s rural electrification project will guarantee a 24-hour power supply in the state.
The governor signed the MoU during the Rural Electrification Roundtable organised by REA, which he attended in Abuja shortly before travelling to the UK.
The REA is a Federal Government body that has been at the forefront of providing off-grid solutions, especially solar-powered mini-grids, to underserved and unserved communities nationwide.
