Skip to main content

CROSS RIVER STATE ELECTRICITY BILL 2024; TRANSFORMING THE STATE ENERGY LANDSCAPE THROUGH INNOVATIVE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK




Recently, the Commissioner, Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy Prince Eka Williams presented the Draft Cross River State Electricity Bill 2024 to the Attorney General/Commissioner, Ministry of Justice Barr. Ededem Ani at his office at the New Secretariat, Calabar, Cross River State. 


The presentation marked a significant milestone in the Journey to the transformation of the Cross River State Energy landscape and provision of access to sustainable Electricity for citizens and residents of the State. 


The Cross River State Electricity Bill 2024 is an Executive Bill which seeks to take advantage of the recent decentralisation of power sector in Nigeria to expand the Energy offering and Energy mix of Cross River State to meet the Energy needs of the citizens and residents. 


The Electricity Act 2023 signed into Law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2023 repealed the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 (EPSRA) and aims to consolidate the laws relating to electricity in Nigeria across the entire value chain of the Nigerian Power Sector, including the integration of renewable energy to Nigeria's energy mix. 


The Electricity Act 2023 along with the recent Constitutional Amendment gives the State Houses of Assembly Power to make laws for the State to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to areas within their respective States. It also empowers states and private companies to invest in Power generation, transmission and distribution. 


Sequel to this, the pragmatic Commissioner, Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy Prince Eka Williams took the Bull by the horn by proposing this transformative legislation to be sent to the Cross River State House of Assembly for consideration and passage. 


The Bill proposes the Establishment of a Cross River State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) and Cross River State Electricity Transmission Company (GRIDco), among other entities, for the effective and efficient administration of the Electricity industry in the State. 


When passed and signed into Law, the Cross River State Electricity Act 2024 will empower the Cross River State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) to grant licences for Electricity Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Supply to firms to provide Power to the entire State. 


This when achieved will provide Electricity to a large population of the state including underserved and unserved rural communities in the state. This is expected to not only boost economic activities in the state but also improve general well-being of citizens and residents. 


Indeed, the challenges associated with Electricity in the State will soon be a thing of the past. The Commissioner attributes all the successes recorded so far in the Ministry to the support and deep vision of His Excellency, Sen Prince Bassey Otu. 


Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the visionary Governor of Cross River State, he added, is committed to the transformation of the Energy sector in the State being in line with his "People First" Agenda. 


Well done Commissioner, Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy Prince Eka Williams. Thank you Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu. 


Emmanuel Etim writes from Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BREAKING NEWS: Youths of Ikot Ansa Nab Vandals Destroying Public Utilities, Hand Over to Authorities for Prosecution

  In a combined effort to curb the rampant vandalism of public utilities in Cross River State, the youth leader of Ikot Ansa, Prince, Victor Otu Iso JR, alongside his community, successfully apprehended criminals involved in the destruction of vital public infrastructure. The vandals were caught red-handed this morning, 13th day of September 2024, as they attempted to steal Amor cables belonging to state transformers at Ekpo Iso. Acting swiftly, the youth leader invited the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe KSM, and his counterpart on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, to the scene. The Special Advisers arrived promptly, accompanied by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force from the Federal Division, and took custody of the criminals. The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further interrogation and prosecution. While addressing the youths of Ikot Ansa, Engr. Dr. Egbe and Barr. Akiba commended t...
1 comment
Read more

Hope Waddell, Ex-Gov Ayade Settle Land Dispute, Launch 1bn Endowment Fund

  By Detailing News  The longstanding land dispute between the Presbyterian Church’s Hope Waddell Training Institution and the immediate past Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, has been amicably resolved, paving the way for renewed development at the historic institution. The Prelate of the Presbyterian Church, Dr. Ekpenyong Akpanika, represented by Most Rev. Daniel Etim, disclosed this at a press conference in Calabar on Monday. The briefing marked the commencement of activities for the 130th anniversary celebration of Hope Waddell Training Institution, which was established in 1895. According to him, the dispute was not solely between the Church and the former governor but also involved the institution’s Old Students Association. He explained that the contested land had historical significance as the former residence of the Inspector-General of Police. “The land issue was not just between Governor Ayade and the Church; it also involved the Old Students Associati...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gov’s Aide on Public Utilities Assesses Infrastructure at College of Health, Calabar

     By Detailing News  In a bid to revamp public utilities across Cross River State, the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe KSM, embarked on a needs assessment tour of the College of Health Technology, Calabar, today March 12, 2025. The visit forms part of a statewide initiative to identify and restore non-functional public infrastructure, aligning with Governor Otu’s "First People’s Mantra", which prioritizes the well-being of citizens and economic growth through infrastructural development. Engr. Egbe emphasized the importance of rehabilitating public utilities to enhance their efficiency, encourage industrial growth, and create a conducive environment for investment in the state. "This tour is necessary to assess the state of public utilities and identify areas where the government must intervene. Many institutions, including this college, have pressing infrastructural challenges that hinder growth and academic excel...
Post a Comment
Read more