Ondo Assembly holds public hearing on electricity law amendment

By Precious Oluwole

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday held a public hearing on a bill seeking to amend the Ondo State Electric Power Sector Law, 2020, in a bid to strengthen the legal framework for electricity generation, distribution and regulation in the state.

Declaring the event open at the Assembly Complex in Akure, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji, said the amendment had become necessary to align the state’s electricity law with current realities in the nation’s power sector.

Oladiji explained that the public hearing was organised to allow stakeholders and members of the public make meaningful contributions to the proposed legislation, noting that broad consultation was necessary to ensure that the objective of the bill is not defeated.

According to the Speaker, the proposed amendment seeks to treat every occupant of a residential or business premises as an independent customer of electricity distribution companies for the purpose of payment and debt recovery.

He noted that the initiative would strengthen financial sustainability in the power sector through expanded commercial activities, while also promoting security of lives and property as well as supporting the provision of streetlights across the state.

The Speaker stressed that the amendment had become imperative, adding that Ondo State could not afford further delay in modernising its electricity regulatory framework.

He expressed optimism that when passed into law, the amendment would align the state with ongoing national electricity reforms, strengthen regulatory authorities, attract private sector investment and accelerate electricity access and reliability across the Sunshine State.

Oladiji therefore urged stakeholders present at the hearing to provide useful inputs that would assist the Assembly in producing a well-structured law in line with global best practices.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Transport and Public Utilities, Hon. Chris Aiyebusiwa, described the public hearing as a significant step in the lawmaking process, noting that the issue of electricity directly affects the livelihood and socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

Aiyebusiwa said the Assembly considered it important for citizens to have a voice in the legislative process, particularly on issues relating to electricity generation and distribution which impact daily life and economic activities.

He expressed confidence that engagements with stakeholders, including professionals and industry experts, would generate useful ideas capable of strengthening the proposed legislation.

The lawmaker also appreciated participants for honouring the invitation of the Assembly and assured that all submissions and recommendations would be carefully considered in the final drafting of the bill.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Johnson Alabi, said the amendment became necessary following the new electricity law signed by the President in 2023 which decentralised the electricity market and allowed states to manage their own electricity systems.

Alabi explained that electricity management in Nigeria had previously been largely controlled by the Federal Government, but the new law now empowers sub-national governments to participate actively in the sector.

He added that although Ondo State had enacted its electricity law before the national reform, several provisions of the earlier legislation now require review to align with the current electricity framework in the country.

According to him, the amendment bill, which was sponsored through the Ministry of Justice and approved by the State Executive Council before being forwarded to the House of Assembly, seeks to create a stronger legal basis for the state to operate effectively in the evolving electricity market.

The commissioner noted that electricity issues affect every citizen, which informed the decision to open the legislative process to public participation so that stakeholders could contribute ideas that would make the law more robust.

Alabi also acknowledged the electricity challenges facing the state, stressing that the proposed amendment would provide the legal backing required for government to pursue lasting solutions under the new electricity regulatory order.