Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Bill seeking the establishment of the Cross River Electricity Board for the regulation of electricity market in the state, has passed through a second reading at the Cross River State House of Assembly, and forwarded to the House Committee on Power for legislative action.
Christened the Cross River Electricity Board Bill 2024, stems from the recent passage of the 2023 Electricity Act at the National Assembly, which empowers states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
Sponsor of the Bill and Minority Leader of the Cross River 10th Assembly, Mr Samuel Neji Abang, representing Ikom I State Constituency, enumerated several benefits of the bill to the socio-economic conditions of the State and the citizens, including improved productivity.
Abang who noted the importance of electricity to the overall well-being of human beings, added that the State will also gain immensely through improved revenue generation and employment opportunities.
He also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the 2023 Electricity Bill into law and urged the state government to domicile the law.
“Kudos to the federal government on the recent passage of the 2023 Electricity Bill which allows states and private companies to venture into the power sector. Indeed it is the right step in the right direction. For example, we have Agbokim Waterfall, the State Government can liaise with private companies to generate and distribute electricity from there.”
Also, Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, noted the merits of the bill stressing that it will greatly improve the fortunes of the state while also providing employment opportunities for the youths, saying that with improved electricity, businesses will thrive and improve the economy.
