OGHA Holds Public Hearing on Electricity

By Omolara Adasofunjo

People of Ogun State have advocated the need for a law to promote Public-Private Partnerships and engagement of local engineers, technicians and other professionals in the power sector towards improving electricity generation, transmission and distribution within the State.

A cross section of the people made the call while speaking at a public hearing organized by the Ogun State House of Assembly on the  “Bill for a Law to Improve Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution Within Ogun State, Establish an Electricity Market and Key Power Sector Bodies, Enforce Consumer Rights and Obligations and For Related Matters”.

The bill was aimed at achieving an efficient and effective electricity market for the State, establish a regulatory Commission for electricity market, promote and support investment in electric power projects within the State as well as ensure that the State had enough electric power generation, transmission and distribution capacity to meet its demand at every time.

At the stakeholders forum presided over by the Speaker, Mr Oludaisi Elemide at the Olusegun Osoba Press center, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the contributors expressed confidence that the law would guarantee the success and sustainability of the State’s Power Sector.

They emphasized that the legislation would help to address long time energy challenges confronting all categories of consumers, including the people, business operators and investors.

Mr. Elemide applauded the National Assembly for promoting the initiative to decentralise electricity generation and related matters towards encouraging both the public and private entities to invest in the power sector.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Energy and Rural Development and Sponsor of the bill, Dr Babatunde Tella had pointed out that the bill had the potential to create a more conducive environment for businesses and improve the quality of life of both the residents and investors in the State.

The forum was attended by key players in the sector, including representatives of Distribution Companies, DISCOs, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Forum, the  Nigeria Society of Engineers, officials from the Ministry of Rural Development and the  State Ministry of Justice.