- Governor signs state electricity law
- Ambition to move economy from $4.4bn to $30bn Saby Elemba in Owerri Nigeria’s subregional government of Enugu State has effectively taken the giant step to create its own electricity market that could be catalytic for the accelerated economic growth of the state.
Power supply is a major challenge in Nigeria and it has defied all moves to resolve it by the central government leading many analysts to describe it as that is seen as one of the monumental failures of the Nigerian state.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State signed the Enugu State Electricity Bill which he said is to enable accelerated growth of different sectors of the economy of the state, a major step towards economic growth.
The governor said by signing the bill into law, it would enable the government to participate in the electrical industry value chain and make the state the top location for business, tourism, investment, and lifestyle.
At the signing ceremony at Government House, Enugu, the governor noted that without a sufficient and reliable electricity power supply that his administration’s goal to grow the economy of Enugu State from $4.4 billion to $30 billion would be a pipe dream.
Stating that the quest was what necessitated the electricity bill which was sent to the House of Assembly about two weeks ago.
“Following the Constitutional Amendment and the Electricity Act of 2023, electricity is now on the concurrent list.
“So, Enugu State has spared no time in making sure that we create our own electricity market. That is the crux of this law.
“We are now able to play in the generation, transmission, and distribution segments of the electricity market,” he said.
He noted that the regulatory commission would be able to control the operations of these actors, including the generating, transmission, and distribution firms that will result from it, noting that if energy or power is not available, discussions concerning the industry or private sector investment cannot proceed.
However, Governor Mbah commended the leadership of the House of Assembly for the expeditious passage of the bill and for their partnership with the government across party lines for the good of Enugu State.
Present at the signing were Ezenta Ezeani, deputy speaker of the state’s assembly, who represented the speaker, Uchenna Ugwu; Kingsley Udeh, attorney-general and commissioner for justice; the and Chidiebere Onyia, secretary to the state government, among others.
