Ogun power sector bill passes second reading

The bill seeking to improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution within Ogun on Tuesday in Abeokuta went through its second reading at the State House of Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill also seeks to establish an electricity market and key power sector bodies, as well as enforce consumer rights and obligations.

The lawmakers took turns to debate the desirability of the bill at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mr Oludaisi Elemide.

Some of them, however, thanked the Federal and State Governments, as well as the National Assembly, for moving the issue of electricity from the exclusive list to the concurrent legislative list.

They noted that it allowed states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within their jurisdiction.

The legislators explained that the initiative would assist in promoting healthy competition among electricity operators, create enabling environment for industries and boost business investment.

The lawmakers noted that if the state was able to generate power, over 50 per cent of the challenges facing the people would have been resolved.

They opined that access to power would also help reduce rural-urban migration in the state.

In his closing remarks, Elemide stated that the bill, when operational, would improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution within the state.

The Speaker emphasised that it would also enhance the electricity market and key power sector bodies, as well as enforcing consumer rights and obligations.

”It will equally help to break the monopoly of the electricity providers. Not only that, it will enhance a synergy among stakeholders in generating revenue without unnecessarily increasing tariff,” he added.

Elemide thereafter sent the bill to the Committee of Whole House for further legislative action