By Ifiok Itiaba, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Monday conducted a public hearing on the proposed Akwa Ibom Electricity Regulatory Board to ensure efficient power generation, transmission and distribution in the State.
 |
| Representative of the Speaker, Rt. Hon Kufreabasi Edidem declaring the public hearing open |
The bill, if passed into law, will provide a stable legal, commercial and technical regulatory framework for the provision of electricity to residents of Akwa Ibom State.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Rural Development, Power, Water Resources and Public Utilities Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo, said the bill will stimulate policy that will attract investments across the State Electricity value chain to re-energize economic growth, drive job-creation and also improve the living condition of residents.
 |
| Chairman of the committee, Rt. Hon Nana Udo |
"This Bill seeks to promote policy and regulatory measures to ensure the expansion of efficient power generation and transmission towards the development of a competitive electricity market; also stimulate policy that will attract investments across the State Electricity value chain to re-energize economic growth, drive job-creation and also improve the living conditions of residents of Akwa Ibom State".
 |
| Commissioner for Power, Engr. Camillius Umo |
He said the enactment of the bill was one of the core contribution of the 8th Assembly to improve the well-being of the citizenry.
"The 8th Assembly has actively demonstrated its commitment by abiding to the cardinal responsibilities of law making and affective representation. The enactment of this Bill is critical to fulfilling one of the core contribution obligations of the 8th Assembly".
 |
| Hon Friday Udobia, member representing Esit Eket/Ibeno state Constituency |
Hon Udo explain that it was obligatory on the House to enact laws that will address critical issues of positive effects on the society and noted that the bill will compliment the rural development agenda of the present administration.
"This Bill is another milestone in the infrastructural development effort of His Excellency and to meet the short, medium and long-term goals of the ARISE Agenda of the present administration in the State".
Declaring the public hearing open, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Udeme Otong, said the hearing was an important instrument deployed by the legislature to sample and gather public opinions, particularly critical stakeholders in the Power sector before taking an important decision.
Speaker Otong noted that the bill will provide a legal framework to leverage on the gains of the privatization and decentralization of the power sector in Nigeria.
"The provisions of the Bill are accordingly far reaching. For instance, within the jurisdiction of the Bill, "provision is made for an ideal legal and institutional framework to leverage on the modest gains of the privatization and decentralization of the power sector in Nigeria".
"This bill is of critical importance. This is so because it aims to revolutionize the living condition of our people by taking full advantage of the immense potential of electricity availability".
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Kufreabasi Edidem, he said it will accelerate growth in power generation capacity and improve utilization of generated power through increased investment in new and efficient power generation technology, even as existing power plants are being strengthened.
On his part, the Commissioner for Power, Engr. Camillius Umo, emphasized on the importance of legislation in supporting the power sector, stating that power is a critical element for development and stressed on the need for a collaborative review of the executive bill to ensure the best outcome for the state and its residents.
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration among players in the electricity value chain and the need for a clear legal framework to avoid restrictive and anti-investment perceptions.
Comments
Post a Comment