From Eze Chimere, Umuahia
Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti has signed into law, the Abia State Electricity Bill, which empowers the state to regulate its own electricity market.
According to the governor, the law will also help in boosting industrialisation.
Assenting to the executive bill, Otti announced that a regulatory body, Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority, ASERA, would soon be set up.
He explained that the law was made to, among other things, ensure steady power supply to the remaining eight local government areas outside the Aba ring-fenced area which covers the nine local governments where Geometric Power is already supplying electricity.
“The remaining eight local government areas in the state that are not under the Aba ring-fence, we are working hard to bring them under the Umuahia ring-fence.
“So, this legislation would support that initiative and we are very close to signing an MoU, moving forward in that direction. It also would protect prospective investors in power generation.
“In fact, our dream is that if we are able to provide all the required power for Abia, then we will be able to also wheel some power to other parts of the Southeast and South-south to support them and earn some fees for doing that,” Otti stated.
Presenting the bill for signing, speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa said Abia State was on the right path with the electricity bill, describing it as a milestone achievement with big business investment for the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday had explained that the bill provided for power generation mainstreaming, protection against vandalism; distribution and regulations.
“This law is an offshoot of the Electricity Act 2023 which empowered States to form a Regulatory body to regulate and create an electricity market. It will encourage local participation and local content,” he said.
The commissioner commended Governor Otti for realising the vision of providing independent power for the state which is part of his campaign promise; and also thanked the Speaker and Development Partners for their support in achieving the feat.
