Taraba electricity law passes first reading

Taraba State House of Assembly has commenced the process of enacting laws that will enable the state to generate, transmit and distribute electricity for its citizens.

The Taraba State Electricity Establishment Bill, 2023, sponsored by former Speaker, Abel Diah (Mbamnga Constituency), has passed first reading, The Guardian learnt.

  

It came a few months after the constitution amendment that gave states power to enact laws to enable them generate, distribute and transmit electricity in areas within their boundaries, including areas previously covered by the national grid.

  

Before bowing out as President on May 29, Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the bill allowing states to license, generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

  

Laying the bill before his colleagues at plenary, yesterday, Diah said it also seeks the establishment of State Electricity Regulatory Commission, State Electricity Market, State Electricity Agency and State Electricity Fund.

  

The member, who took his time to reel out the benefits of the bill, if passed into law, stressed the need for his colleagues to facilitate its passage. 

The 54-page bill reads: “A member of the commission shall hold office for a single term of eight years, renewable only for a further five years. The commission shall meet for the dispatch of business as often as necessary or expedient.”

  

Speaker of the House, John Kizito, who described the bill as timely, applauded the sponsor for coming out with a bill that would impact positively on the lives of Tarabans and the state at large.