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Tinubu Assents Electricity Bill
Tinubu Assents Electricity Bill
President Bola Tinubu has assented to the electricity bill, which was passed in July 2022 seeking to repeal the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, and thus becoming the Electricity Act, sources inside the villa said on Friday.
The Electricity Act now consolidates all legislations dealing with the electricity supply industry to provide an omnibus and ideal Institutional framework to guide the post-privatization phase of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and encourage private sector investments in the sector.
The primary aim of the bill, as stated in its very first section, is to create a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to guide the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
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It de-monopolises the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity at the National level, to empower States, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
States would also be able to issue licenses to private investors who have the ability to operate mini-grids and power plants within the State, but such State licenses are not to extend to inter-state or transnational distribution of electricity.
“This is the culmination of two years’ work, to update the electricity law and bring it in line with what the constitution actually provides,” one source said.
Nigeria’s constitution as amended provides for shared power between the Federal and state government in terms of making laws for electricity. But this is not the practice on account of the Electricity Reform Act which empowers NERC to carry out regulation across the country.
Nigeria’s journey to this current status started first with clarifying the position of the constitution that recognises joint regulatory powers leading to the constitutional amendment assented to in March by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Electricity Act establishes that NERC’s powers to regulate within Nigeria are without prejudice to the powers of the states to make laws and create electricity markets within those states and to regulate those markets.
It mandates how NERC is transition regulatory responsibilities from itself to state regulators when they are established. Until that happens, NERC will continue to regulate electricity business exclusively carried out in those states.
This means that states like Kaduna, Lagos, and Edo can begin to regulate their own electricity market as they have already created laws for their electricity markets. The other states will continue to be regulated by NERC until they passed their laws.
The new law restates the position and clarifies the authority and powers of the states and federal. It means that Nigeria will not have one single market regulated from Abuja, but could have at least 3 independent regulators, one expert told BusinessDay.
NERC will still carry out cross-border regulations – generation, and transmission across states will still be regulated by NERC
Lawmakers under the bill are granted the power to carry out oversight responsibilities and function over the National Electricity supply industry through its respective Committees on Power in the Senate and House of Representatives.
This is to be carried out notwithstanding the supervisory powers of any government Ministry over government-owned enterprises or other entities operating in the Nigerian electricity supply industry in which the government has not divested its equity holdings, and irrespective of the Ministry where such entities are placed for administrative supervision by the Ministry.
Under the Nigeria Electricity Bill, electricity generation licensees are obligated to meet renewable generation obligations as may be prescribed by NERC. As such, electricity generating companies will be mandated to either generate power from renewable energy sources, purchase power generated from renewable energy or procure any instrument representing renewable energy generation. Fundamentally, the aim is to create a market for renewable energy and thereby stimulate investments in the sector.
The Electricity Act also mandates the imposition of renewable purchase obligations on distribution or supply licensees.
It also states that anyone may construct, own or operate an undertaking for generating electricity not exceeding 1 megawatt (MW) in aggregate at a site or an undertaking for distribution of electricity with a capacity not exceeding 100 kilowatts (Kw) in aggregate at a site, or such other capacity as the Commission may determine from time to time, without a license.
Tinubu Assents Electricity Bill
FG Intervention Programs Aim to Benefit All Nigerians, Says Minister
Alhaji Muhammad Idris, Minister of Information, has affirmed that the Federal Government’s intervention programs are designed to benefit all Nigerians.
Speaking during a sensitization event on the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s policy framework, in Yola on Thursday, Idris emphasized the wide-reaching nature of these programs. Represented by Rhoda Maina, Head of the Federal Information Resource Center in Yola, the minister outlined various initiatives aimed at improving citizens’ lives.
These initiatives include the disbursement of over N2.9 billion for a student loan scheme, empowerment programs, and the Digital and Creative Enterprise Program. Additional efforts focus on consumer credit, a natural gas initiative, housing, Nano business support, and the National Youth Talents Export Program.
Mr. Jonah Agye, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Adamawa, expressed the agency’s readiness to collaborate with federal and state agencies to promote these initiatives at the grassroots level. He urged participants to spread the word in their communities and encouraged public support for government policies.
In his remarks, Mr. James Iliya, Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, expressed gratitude to the federal government and President Tinubu for the interventions. He urged beneficiaries to make the most of these opportunities to improve their lives. Iliya also noted that Adamawa State aligns with the Federal Government’s policies to ensure its residents benefit from these initiatives.
Alhaji Idris Shuaibu, chairman of the event, commended the Federal Government’s efforts and advised those implementing the programs to ensure that they reach the most vulnerable citizens.
Peter Obi Dismisses Claims of Accepting 2027 Vice Presidential Role
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has refuted claims that he agreed to become a vice-presidential candidate in the 2027 elections. The former Anambra State Governor addressed the issue via a series of posts on his official X account on Saturday, accusing certain groups of misinterpreting his recent interview.
Obi emphasized that his remarks during the News Central TV interview had been deliberately distorted by propagandists, and he reiterated his unwavering commitment to the Labour Party and Nigeria’s progress.
https://www.facebook.com/Ochuwa24news/videos/820328146751630
Clarifying his stance, Obi stated, “I am not focused on 2027 when Nigerians are grappling with hunger, poverty, insecurity, and other urgent challenges.” He noted that he is open to partnerships, but only with individuals whose intentions align with advancing the country, not capturing state power.
Obi further stressed that his priority is to address pressing national issues, including bringing millions of out-of-school children back into classrooms and combating poverty. He categorically denied any agreement to serve as a vice president, saying, “For the avoidance of doubt, I never stated at any time that I would be vice president to anyone.”
Despite the rumors, Obi reaffirmed his dedication to Nigeria’s development, insisting that true progress can be achieved without necessarily holding political office.
Tjay Emerges as Week 7 Head of House in BBNaija, Gains Immunity
Tjay has been crowned the Head of House (HoH) for week seven in the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) ‘No Loose Guard’ season, becoming the second solo HoH of the competition.
The announcement followed the unpairing of housemates, marking the start of individual gameplay after weeks of competing in duos.
In the week’s challenge, housemates navigated through a maze of laser beams in the arena before transferring mini cubes from one bottle to another.
Tjay, formerly part of Team Beta with his close friend Ben, completed the task in record time, securing his position as the new HoH.
With this win, Tjay gains immunity from eviction for the week, ensuring his safety in the game as the competition heats up.
This victory comes after Onyeka became the first solo HoH in the previous week, following a string of duo HoHs, including Mbadiwe Twins and Team Ndi Nne.
As the show progresses, housemates are vying for the ultimate grand prize of N100 million, with the stakes growing higher each week.
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