From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Communities hosting power stations in the country will get five per cent of the annual operating cost of
Power Generating Companies in Nigeria (GENCOs) operating within their community, once the the Electric Power Sector Reform Act amendment bill is signed into law.
The sponsor of the bill, Babajimi Benson, in a statement, expressed delight that the bill, which was earlier passed by the House of Representatives has received the concurrence of the Senate.
Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, in the Green chamber, stated that the bill when assented to by the President will help to address the concerns of host communities..
According to him, ‘When assented to by the President, host communities, particularly the communities around the Egbin Thermal Power Station in Ikorodu Federal Constituency, will get 5% of the actual annual operating expenditure for the preceding financial year from the various Power Generating Companies in Nigeria (GENCOs) operating within their community.
“These funds will be channelled to the development of those communities and ameliorating impact of the activities of these GENCOs.
“This is a milestone for us as the communities will be able to glean the full benefits of hosting the GENCOs. It will also guide GENCOs in providing targeted developmental projects that will impact on the lives of our people, their host communities.
“I thank my fellow legislators in the Senate and House of Representatives for their commitment to the passage of this bill and urge our listening President to kindly assent to this bill promptly.”