Obaseki Proposes New Law To Attract Investment In Power Generation, Transmission, Distribution In Edo

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, met with private electricity stakeholders in the state to chart a new path to attract more investors to improve electricity supply in the state.

Obaseki, while speaking at a one-day electricity workshop, held at the Government House, Benin City, reassured that his administration will continue to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

According to him, “this workshop has provided us the opportunity to bring up issues relating to electricity, which is core and very vital for our existence, to see how, working with the ambits of our constitution, we can take on the responsibility of providing electricity to our people.

“We are going to use the advantage that we have as a state, with access to reasonably cost fuel and encourage investment in generation, transmission and distribution within the state.

“It’s a process and we are going to make available draft copies of the bill to everybody who wants to have inputs and we are also hopeful of giving the process a fair hearing and a lot of publicity.”

He continued: “As a state, this is one promise that we made to our people, when we came to office in 2016, that we will continue to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“We want to make our citizens know that we are working hard: We need to create a framework, policies and enact laws to be able do what is expected of us.

“I am sure that we have the support of the speaker: We are going to get the bill into the House of Assembly within the next two weeks and I am sure that the bill will not take longer than 30 days and will be passed into law.”

“Whatever communication that we need to have with the Federal Government, we will do: This is not meant to be an adversary relationship with Edo electricity licensed companies. We hope that they understand what we are trying to do and take advantage of certain opportunities created by the bill,” he added.

The governor further assured that his administration would ensure it gives full support to all the private stakeholders in the electricity business in the state.

Edo Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu, while delivering his opening remarks, reaffirmed that the present administration, under the leadership of Governor Obaseki, is aimed at providing stable electricity supply for the citizens of the state.

On his part, Speaker Edo House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun, assured of legislative backing to provide legal framework for the electricity sector.