…Urges states to take advantage of 2023 Electricity Act, end reliance on FG for power

…Makes case for consumers’ protection, fair billing system

Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, proposed an annual review of States’ electricity market to track implementation of 2023 Electricity Act.

He said such review would be able to identify bottlenecks and accelerate investments in the sector.

This is just as he called on State Governments to take full advantage of the 2023 Electricity Act and establish their own functional electricity markets in a bid to end Nigeria’s electricity sector paradox.

The vice president made the call as Africa’s most populous nation struggles to make the country self sufficient in power supply.

Shettima stated this while declaring open the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Nigeria’s current total available electricity generation hovers between 4,300 megawatts and 5,403.3 megawatts for a population of over 230 million people.

The workshop, themed “Unlocking the Opportunities of the Electricity Act 2023 for Sustainable Energy Development and Economic Growth in Nigeria,” brought together federal and state institutions, regulators and other stakeholders to review the implementation of the legislation.

The vice president challenged State Governments to take full advantage of the Act, by attracting private investment and ending their dependence on the federal government for solutions to local power challenges.

He described consumers’ protection as critical to any arrangement for successful power supply, adding that must regulators must ensure “fair billing, reliable service, effective complaint-resolution mechanisms and accountability by electricity operators”.

According to the Vice President, the average Nigerian is not interested in the complexities of electricity regulation. He wants electricity that works.

He, therefore, charged the workshop to develop practical recommendations for implementing the proposed framework, strengthening state regulatory institutions and establishing clear timelines for monitoring progress.

The National Electricity Reform Review and Implementation Framework will involve the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Federal Ministry of Power, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and state electricity regulatory institutions.

The framework will allow participating states to assess progress, share best practices and identify challenges in developing electricity markets, attracting investment and protecting consumers. Participation would be voluntary and respect the constitutional and statutory powers of individual States.

Shettima urged States yet to establish electricity regulatory commissions to begin the necessary legislative and institutional processes without delay, stressing that effective implementation was critical to translating the law into improved power supply.

He called on States that had made progress to share their experience and technical expertise with others, warning against creating regulatory bodies that existed only on paper.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to making electricity more accessible, reliable and affordable, describing dependable power as essential to building a productive and competitive economy.

He said Nigeria’s ambition to build a competitive industrial economy would remain constrained unless electricity reforms translated into reliable power for businesses, households and public institutions across the country.

Represented by Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, the vice president said the Act had created an opportunity to decentralise electricity governance and enable states to develop power markets suited to their economic needs and available resources.

“The Act empowers States to develop and regulate intrastate electricity markets within the applicable constitutional and statutory framework. The size, diversity and endowments of this nation demand this decentralisation.

“Electricity supply must become a shared responsibility, pursued with innovation and accountability across the Federation. Our States must shed the habit of waiting for Abuja to provide every answer,” he said.

Shettima identified the country’s diverse energy resources as a major opportunity for expanding electricity access, citing solar potential in Sokoto, Borno and Katsina, gas resources in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, and hydroelectric opportunities in Niger and Kebbi.

He urged States to translate these advantages into investments capable of powering agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education.

The vice president, however, warned that legislation alone would not guarantee improved electricity supply, calling on states yet to establish their regulatory institutions to begin the process without delay.