The bill which also seek to establish an electricity market and key power sector bodies, enforce consumer rights and obligation and for connected purposes on Tuesday ,scaled the second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
The bill titled: "H.B.No.017/OG/2024 - Ogun State Power Sector Law", passed through second reading as the State lawmakers took turn to debate the desirability of the bill at the plenary presided over by Speaker, Right Honourable Oludaisi Elemide at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The second reading process commenced through a motion moved by Hon. Babatunde Tella, seconded Hon. Damilare Bello and supported by the whole house through a unanimous voice vote.
Opening debate on the second reading of the bill, Hon. Tella said that when passed by the Assembly and assented to by Governor Dapo Abiodun, the bill would assist in improving electricity generation, transmission and distribution for the benefit of the people, pointing out that the rural areas would become integrated and thus enjoy all deserving amenities.
Corroborating the Sponsor, others including the Majority Leader Yusuf Sheriff, as well as Honourables Adebisi Oyedele, Yusuf Amosun and the Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye, thanked the Federal and the State governments as well as the National Assembly for moving the issue of electricity from the exclusive list to the concurrent legislative list which now allows the states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within their jurisdiction.
They noted that the initiative would assist in promoting healthy competitions amongst electricity operators, create enabling environment for industries and boost the business investments of Small and Medium Enterprises in the State.
The lawmakers noted that if the State was able to generate power, over 50% of the challenges facing the people would have been resolved, stating that access to power would also help reduce rural - urban migration in the State.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Right Honourable Elemide stated that the bill, when operational, would improve electricity generation, transmission and distribution within the State; emphasising that it would enhance electricity market and key power sector bodies as well as enforcing the consumer rights and obligations, while breaking the monopoly of the electricity providers.
He added that it would enhance synergy among stakeholders in generating revenue without unnecessarily increasing tariff, while charging the bill to the Committee of Whole House for further legislative actions.
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