By Oluseye Ojo
Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has signed into law the Oyo State Electricity Regulatory Commission Bill 2024, which is expected to enable the state to generate, transmit and distribute electricity within the state.
The Federal Government had in 2023 signed into law the constitutional amendment allowing states in the country to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid.
The brief signing ceremony of Oyo State Electricity Regulatory Commission Bill 2024 was held at the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the state capital on Friday.
Makinde said the signing of the bill into law would give the state opportunity to develop its own roadmap to sustainable electricity.
The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, stated that with the decentralisation of electricity generation, transmission and distribution, it has become obvious that Nigerians could access dividends of democracy if federalism is practised as it should be and more powers are devolved to the states.
“This law will enable Oyo State generate, transmit and distribute electricity within the state. Amendments of the constitution like these is what we mean when we advocate fiscal federalism. In years to come, as we work towards energy sufficiency, our people can hold state governments accountable on the issue of electricity supply,” Makinde said.
The Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mohammed Fadeyi, whohad earlier presented the bill to the governor, noted that this is the first time that the state would come up with an independent electricity project.
Present at the signing of the bill were the deputy governor, Bayo Lawal; Secretary to the State Government; Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi; and the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni.
Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly in attendance were the Deputy Speaker, Fadeyi; Chairman, House Committee on Energy, Deji Oparinde; and a member of the committee, Gabriel Babajide.