A bill for a law to establish the Adamawa State Electricity Commission for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Adamawa has passed through a second reading on the floor of the House of Assembly.
The bill sponsored by the member representating Shelleng constituency, Hon. Bulus Kantomon Naphthali was presented on the floor of the house during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker Bathiya Wesley.
While opening the debate on the bill, its Sponsor, Hon Bulus Kantomon, enumerated several benefits of the bill to the socio-economic growth, providing enabling environment for investors to drive job creation and promote the development of a competitive electricity market in the state.
He said the bill if considered and passed into law will stimulate policy and regulatory measures to generally scale up efficient power generation, transmission and distribution capabilities of the power sector in Adamawa state with a view to achieving a state consumption in Nigeria.
Kantoman, who is the chairman House standing committee on Public Petition, Public Service and Electoral matters of the 8th Assembly, further reiterated the importance of electricity to the overall well-being of the citizens adding that the State will also gain immensely through improved revenue generation.
The sponsor of the bill also explained that, the bill will provide a framework for improvement of access to electricity inbrural, unserved, underserved, pre- urban and urban areas through the use of conventional sources and renewable, to also enhance Indigenous capacity in technology for renewable energy technologies a framework for local content in the state.
According to him, the bill will also develop frameworks for the protection of electricity infrastructure, prescribe effective punitive measures against electricity theft and other offenses related to the electricity supply industry.
While the bill will also provide for the procedure for appointment, tenure and removal of commission members.
Contributing separately, the lawmakers noted the merits of the bill, stressing that it will greatly improve the fortunes of the state while also providing employment opportunities for the teeming youths.
Speaking while presiding over the Tuesdays session, the Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Rt Hon Bathiya Wesley noted that with improved electricity, businesses will definitely thrive and improve the economy.
He commended the Sponsor and Co-Sponsors of the bill for diligence before directing for the second reading of the bill.
He thereafter reffered the bill to house committee on works, energy, land and survey to scrutinize and report to the house within two weeks.