The House of Representatives is seeking to amend the Power Reform Act of 2005, in a bid to boost efficiency in the sector and also create a new renewables energy agency.
This was disclosed by Rep Magaji Aliyu, Chairman, House Committee on Power, on Thursday during the discussion on the general principles of the bill, reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
The Committee Chair said the amendment was with a view to providing the legal and institutional framework for the implementation and coordination of rural electrification projects. They also called for the establishment of a National Power Training Institute and Regulatory Provisions, as well as the establishment of a Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Agency, introducing new clauses including the “94a,” after the existing section 94 in the principal Act to provide stiffer penalties for crimes committed against electrical infrastructure.
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What the reps committee said
“For about one and a half decade, the Act has not been amended until now, following increasing challenges that affect the efficiency, corporate stability and prospects of the power sector,” he said.
In an exercise of its powers, the Committee on Power initiated an amendment of the Act aimed to overcome the challenges for a better power sector in Nigeria.
They added that the proposal was supported by inputs from stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Power, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), power generation companies, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria. The House of Reps passed the bill and referred to the committee on power for further legislative actions.
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In case you missed it
Recall that Nairametrics reported earlier this month that the federal government said that it has begun moves to reduce the cost of gas for power generation across the country as part of efforts to boost the manufacturing sector.
Minister for Industry, Trade and Investments, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, said that all stakeholders need to work together towards developing measures to improve the cost competitiveness of the manufacturing sector in order for Nigerian industries to lead the transformation of the country and Africa’s economy.
