Gombe adopts Electricity Act to achieve energy autonomy

The Gombe government says it has adopted the State Electricity Law 2024, to achieve self-sufficiency in power generation and transmission.

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Alhaji Sunusi Ahmed, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, said this while reacting to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on delays by the states to domesticate laws passed by the National Assembly.

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Several federal laws passed by the Nigerian parliament have not been fully adopted or domesticated by all state governments, leading to inconsistencies in their applications in the country.

On June 9, 2023, the Federal Government adopted Electricity Act 2023, which repeals the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.

The Act introduces a range of key features including liberalisation of Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution at the national level, empowering states, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

Under the Act, states can issue licenses to private investors who may operate mini-grids and power plants within their territory. It however precludes interstate and transnational electricity distribution.

Ahmed said the new law offered the state full legal backing to independently regulate the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity within its territory.

He said the state government was currently establishing its own regulatory body to oversee the operation of the state’s electricity market, after which a formal notification would be transmitted to the National Electricity Commission (NRC).

“Once the regulatory framework is in place, we shall formally notify the NRC, to assert our autonomy in line with the new legal provisions,” he said.

According to Ahmed, the state government is executing the Balanga Dam Power Project designed to produce 320 Kilowatts of electricity in collaboration with development partners.

He said the state has provided N575 million, representing 30 per cent of the cost of the project, while the UN Development Organisation (UNIDO), and the European Union (EU) would contribute 70 per cent.

“Construction is currently underway, some of the challenges are technical issues and regulatory bureaucracy, which are slowing down implementation, but we are committed to address these obstacles.

“Once completed, the Balanga project will not only improve power supply across Gombe State, it is also expected to catalyse broader socio-economic development.

“The project is anticipated to create jobs, boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), enhance security, and improve energy access, especially in rural areas.

“This initiative is not just about electricity; it is about economic empowerment, industrial development, and ensuring a brighter future for our people,” Ahmed said.

(NAN)