Edo state House of Assembly has in it’s bid to change the face how electricity is handled in the state where a majority of the people live in darkness and without electricity , has repealed the 1972 law of the Rural Electricity board.
This is to Meet the realities of the present day and to ensure the state is not living under the 1972 law which is obsolete.
According to the house of Assembly the bill seeks to make provision for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity for residents .
The house also wants to create an Electricity market in the state,to enable residents in the state benefit from the Edo state Government’s investment in ossiomo electrification project.
The passed bill provide for the liberalization of the electricity market in the state; allowing for a more pragmatic approach to rural electrification and expansion of distribution infrastructure in the state.
The passing of the Bill spells better days for electricity consumers in the state, who will now benefit from proper regulation of the sector in the state: allowing operators a more predictable business environment.
In the new regime, electricity providers in the state with generation License, Independent Electricity distribution network license and eligible customer (willing buyer-willing seller) approval from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) would reap the full benefit of a liberalized electricity market
The Assembly under the dynamic leadership of Rt Hon Marcus Onobun unanimously adopted all six parts of the bill during a session of the committee of the whole on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
The Speaker thereafter directed the clerk, Alhaji Yahaya Audu-Omogbai to forward clean copies of the bill to the Governor Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki for assent.
Similarly, the Senate has towed the line of Edo state House of Assembly by passing the bill for states, individual to supply grid electricity.
This will make electricity more affordable and accessible to the people.
Kudos to Edo state House of Assembly.