BENIN CITY- Edo State government says it has taken the lead in domesticating the federal government’s electricity Act 2023 by establishing Electricity Law 2024 to achieve major reforms in the power sector.
The Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Dr. Washington Osa Osifo stated this at a one day workshop for the development of a policy framework for the electricity market in Edo state.
The Commissioner who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry of Water Resources And Energy, Mr. Joseph Nyamali said the state has established an inclusive, forward looking and regulatory framework which has led to the formation of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Dr. Osifo called for collaboration with other critical stakeholders in the power sector to enhance workable policies and commitment to achieving positive results in energy delivery to consumers.
In his presentation, Mr. Odion Omofoma explained that the Edo Electricity commission is to bring sanity and guide the power distributors as well as consumers to ensure that there is compliance to energy laws.
Mr. Omofoma further revealed that the commission is also saddled with the responsibility of licensing, tariff regulation, market promotion and regulating standard settings.
He said the distributors should live up to expectation of consumers to ensure adequate availability of power to justify the bills paid by the Said consumers.
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Dr. Festus Alenkhe advocates the formation of a strong team to monitor the problem of electricity theft through bypassing with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Dr. Alenkhe also decried the delay of meters arrival which has often led to energy theft.
In their goodwill messages, representatives of Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ogunleye, Civil Rights Society of Nigeria, Mr. Obawohin Enoguwa and GIZ, Mr. Osahon Okoh commended Edo State Government for taking the step to addressing the challenges bedeviling the power sector in the state.
They were unanimous in the fact that the various steps would bring succour to the arrays of challenges and the provision of adequate supply of electricity to Edo State.
The seminar was attended by top officials of the energy sector in Edo state.
