Lagos, Kano, and 10 other states have concluded plans to start generating power in their respective states in conformity with the Electricity Act 2023.

The PUNCH gathered on Thursday that some of these states had established their electricity market laws and were waiting for the approval of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to have independent regulatory bodies different from the NERC owned by the Federal Government.

As the states stepped up efforts to generate electricity, the Federal Government’s 240 per cent power tariff hike for consumers in Band A enjoying 20-hour electricity attracted more condemnations on Thursday.

Groups including the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Associations of Nigeria, civil society organisations and the Nigeria Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network warned that the hike would worsen the plight of Nigerians.

The subsidy on electricity has been withdrawn completely from the tariff payable by power consumers in the Band A category, who constitute about 15 per cent of the total number of power users across the country.

The government, through the NERC, announced the hike in the electricity bill on Wednesday, adding that those affected would now pay a tariff of N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the previous rate of N68/kWh, representing about 240 per cent increase.

However, there are strong indications that many states are taking advantage of the new Electricity Act to establish their electricity generation firms.

In June 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed a new Electricity Act into law, heeding the calls of Nigerians that the power sector be reformed and removed from the exclusive list, to give states the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within their jurisdiction. This, Nigerians believe, would help in proffering lasting solutions to the electricity problems in Nigeria.

Lagos, Kano, and 10 other states have concluded plans to start generating power in their respective states in conformity with the Electricity Act 2023.

Franking:
Why is Tinumbu not using his head? Prices have skyrocketed while salaries have remained the same. What exactly is he planning?

symbianDON:
Tinubu is very cold hearted

oliverwrites:
We need to decentralise this country. Until then nothing will give. This new electricity act will be massive and will further show why we need to decentralise.

Some governors are just sitting on their hands doing nothing but collecting and looting allocations.

Armaggedon:
Lagos never had one but was busy building rice mills without when it doesn't farm rice. Fools.

helinues:


See this unserious governors. They have concluded plans? when was the new electricity act passed?

If you have just concluded with your plans, then how many years would you take to execute those plans?

Wondering when Nigerians would start questioning their state governors same way they have been doing to FG, all this governors are just like P in Psychology

nairalanda1:


Decentralization won't solve the problem

ShobayoEmma:
Majority of Nigerian leaders and followers are lazy and too myopic. Tinubu should know that gradual process process and pain is better than sudden process and pain.




Tinubu, a bad man with good intentions.

Rolings:


You clearly didn't read the report or read it half way if not you will see where it was stated that's most of the states have already established their electricity regulation laws but are only awaiting approval from NERC to create their own independent regulator

However, there are strong indications that many states are taking advantage of the new Electricity Act to establish their electricity generation firms.

helinues:


See this unserious governors. They have concluded plans? when was the new electricity act passed?

If you have just concluded with your plans, then how many years would you take to execute those plans?

Wondering when Nigerians would start questioning their state governors same way they have been doing to FG, all this governors are just like P in Psychology

oliverwrites:
It will bring competition and accountability. Which will have ripple on effects.

I know our problem is deeper though but we have got to start from somewhere.

oliverwrites:
You obviously didn't read the full report.


However, I agree on what you said about the state governors are certainly the real problem of Nigeria. People don't demand accountability from their governors and this is a big problem.