The Lagos State House of Assembly has conducted a public hearing on the proposed State Electricity Bill 2024, which aims to repeal the existing 2018 power sector reform law.
The one-day public hearing, held at Lateef Jakande Auditorium in Lagos on Wednesday, drew a wide range of stakeholders, including industry experts, business representatives, and concerned citizens.
The proposed bill aims to address the challenges, improve energy sustainability, and foster economic growth.
Chairman, House Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Sabur Oluwa, said the bill seeks to provide the creation and administration of the Lagos electricity market.
He added that the bill seeks to create a commercial and technical regulatory framework for the electricity market and set up the state electrification fund to ensure reliable electricity supply to unserved and underserved areas in the state.
Oluwa said the bill proposes to establish the Lagos State Electricity Regulation Authority, which will oversee the electricity market in the state, ensuring efficient and sustainable electricity.
“We are going to create a Lagos State Electricity Agency to manage public electricity work and infrastructure as well as Lagos State Electrification Fund. These institutions will play a pivotal role in the delivery of reliable electricity to our 21st-century and underserved areas of Lagos State. Through this initiative, 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 an option. It is a necessity. It is the backbone of economic growth, social development, and improvement of standards. Therefore, this bill is not just about electricity. It is about empowering people, fostering economic development, and ensuring that Lagos has access to electricity on a wide scale,” he said.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, represented by the Assembly’s Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, stated that the bill is timely as electrification is crucial for a viable economy and the well-being of the people.
He stressed that the bill aligns with the Assembly’s commitment to improving the electricity situation in the state. With the Federal Government placing electricity on the concurrent list, the state has decided to take decisive action and set a standard for others to follow.
“The bill seeks to take care of everything in the electricity sector, majorly by contributing to the development of the state, to facilitate investment and innovation, facilitate the delivery of affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern public electricity access to the people of the state, and also establish a mechanism of electricity security in the state to promote the provision of off-grid solutions for households and micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) in the state, and also to promote the adoption of clean and modern technology for the provision and delivery of electricity access,” he said.
During the presentation of the bill, Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Noheem Adams, stated that the bill aims to replace an earlier one submitted to the Assembly, noting that the new bill is focused on addressing the challenges hindering electricity generation in the state.
He added that the bill, which consists of 143 clauses across 21 parts, is designed to encourage investments, establish a commercial and technical regulatory framework for the electricity market, and modernise infrastructure to ensure a stable and sustainable electricity supply for Lagosians.
Stakeholders at the hearing expressed mixed support and concerns as most industry experts and business leaders endorsed the bill, citing its potential to attract investment, create jobs, and improve power reliability.
They commended the focus on renewable energy and sustainability.
Chairman, South West of the Chartered Institute of Power Engineering, Vincent Umoh, urged the Assembly to ensure the bill tasks the state government on the appointment of technocrats with 15 years of experience to head the proposed agency.
“Lagos State Government needed about 1,000 megawatts for it to ensure stable electricity supply to residents,” he said.
The post Lagos Assembly holds public hearing on State Electricity Bill 2024 appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.
