Reported by Agu Chukwuemeka
The Climate and Sustainable Development Network participated in a policy review workshop organized by Natural Justice, an African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) consortium partner, and Logosphere Advisory.
The Riez Continental Hotel Central Business District, Abuja hosted the event. The aim of the event is to strengthen communities’ legal capacity, defend rights to land and cultural rights, and support policies that enhance environmental sustainability.
CSDevNet, as a key civic actor in renewable energy, highlighted the need to inculcate climate change impact on energy, and adopting clean energy sources to drive the nation’s power sector will help communities adapt to the impact of climate change.
Natural Justice and Loposhere Advisory are working in some states in the Niger-Delta region on a project to access electricity in Nigeria via the development of strategic guides and institutional frameworks for efficient and viable electricity markets.
The workshop reviewed the strategy documents and legislative and regulatory frameworks for the emerging subnational electricity markets. The Electricity Act of 2023, empowering states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, is a good one.
Mr. Michael Karikpo, Project Lead for Natural Justice (NJ), underscored the essences of the workshop and the modern electricity law as it affects consumers.
He noted that “investment in the power sector and renewable energy is vital to help achieve the countries NDCs by 2030, and there are structures in place to make renewable energy work in states.”
He stated that “there’s no justification for the huge energy gap experience in Nigeria.” There’s a need for significant investment to bridge the energy access and reliability gap.
Dr. Sam Amadi made a presentation of the National electricity commission (NEC) regulatory policy were all code of conduct and conflict of interest aligns in the electricity laws for a viable and efficient electricity markets in Nigeria.
He said “we want a of fair rule of independent operators and technical advisory committee.
CSDevNet Program Assistant Mariam Idris emphasized the need to reduce energy poverty and more advocacy awareness at the grassroot to gain knowledge on their legal rights and strategic capacity building by CSOs that would bring alliances for inclusive participation and promote clean energy.
The commissioner of Power Cross River State, Prince Eka Williams, represented by Mr. Emmanual Etim, stressed that the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, under his leadership, has drafted the Cross- River State Electricity Bill 2024 and has transmitted this to the Office of the Attorney General for onward transmission to the Cross River State House of Assembly as an Executive Bill.
When passed and signed into law, the State Electricity Law will establish a State Electricity Regulatory Agency, which will license private companies to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity and regulate the electricity sector in the state.
The ministry is also developing a state electricity policy as well as a renewable energy action plan, which are expected to promote investment in the state power and renewable energy sectors.
We have also taken steps to restore broken down and dilapidated transmission and distribution facilities in the state, including the replacement of power lines and transformers.
He noted that “private investors are already in the state and are eager to seize these opportunities to invest in power generation, transmission, and distribution.” This is expected to improve access to power for citizens and residents in the state over the next few years.
However, we recognize that a viable state electricity market requires more than individual state efforts. It demands a coordinated national approach that harmonizes policies, regulations, and standards.
As Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners of Power in Nigeria, “I am committed to working with my colleagues to achieve this goal.”.
We are taking steps to design an institutional framework that:
- promotes competition and private sector participation;
- ensures regulatory clarity and consistency;
- supports grid modernization and infrastructure development;
- fosters public-private partnerships and collaboration;
- prioritizes consumer protection and access to electricity.
In conclusion, the journey to achieving efficient and viable state electricity markets in Nigeria requires collective effort, strategic planning, and a commitment to reform.
Through our collaborative effort, we can create a vibrant electricity market that drives economic growth, improves lives, and showcases Nigerian potential.