Governor Alex Otti from Abia State has assured that his administration is willing to collaborate with the National Assembly in developing and promoting renewable energy sources. This collaboration aims to find lasting solutions for addressing the nation’s electricity supply issues.
The governor extended this commitment during a welcome meeting for the members of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy who visited his residence in Aba town on Saturday.
Governor Otti emphasized the significance of addressing the nation’s energy issues as a priority and praised the 10th House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas, for tackling this issue head-on.
He mentioned that right from the start of his term, he focused on addressing the deterioration of infrastructure in Aba. He emphasized tackling issues related to environmental cleanliness, power supply, and road networks since these aspects were essential for enhancing the significant industrial capabilities of Aba’s residents.
The governor stated that the administration needed to establish an agreement with a private company for electricity distribution called Geometric. Additionally, they introduced a bill named “Abia State Electricity Regulatory Bill,” which was approved by the state assembly and subsequently enacted as legislation to support the government’s efforts towards improving electricity provision.
He mentioned that presently, Aba and surrounding areas are receiving approximately 23 to 24 hours of power supply daily, thanks to around 80 megawatts supplied by Geometric.
He expressed the government’s willingness to collaborate with the initiative of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy for organizing their inaugural Legislative Summit on Renewable Energy. The event is scheduled to take place in Lagos from May 5-7, 2025.
He stated that his administration would take full part due to the necessity for joint efforts in tackling the country’s energy security issue.
In an earlier part of his address, Hon Victor Afam Ogene, who chairs the House Committee on Renewable Energy and represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, informed the governor that the objective of the delegation’s visit was to secure the collaboration of Abia state government with the developmental initiatives being undertaken by the House of Representatives.
He informed the governor that the summit was designed to bring together stakeholders, specialists, and legislators to develop strong policies and programs that would propel the expansion of renewable energy and enhance grid modernization.
He mentioned that several important stakeholders from within the country and internationally have already expressed their willingness to take part, noting that among these experts are individuals from South Africa and Gambia.
Honorable Ogene informed Governor Otti that the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana along with several prominent international organizations such as the INDP, GIZ, and EU have expressed their willingness to collaborate with the committee. This partnership aims to guarantee the successful implementation of this crucial policy initiative.
The individual informed the governor of Abia State that Hon Tajudeen Abbas, who serves as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, acknowledges his significant contribution to Nigeria’s progress. He further mentioned that the Speaker emphasizes renewable energy development as essential for addressing national power supply issues and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels.
According to the legislator, this event aims to foster knowledge exchange and encourage discussions among lawmakers, specialists, and key participants regarding crucial legislative goals, regulatory structures, and international leading examples. This collaboration seeks to expedite the integration of renewable energy sources in Nigeria.
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