Vice President Kashim Shettima has told 36 state governors to stop waiting for the Federal Government to fix their electricity problems.
Shettima said states can now generate and distribute their own electricity under the Electricity Act 2023.
He spoke on Wednesday at the National Stakeholders Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shettima was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.
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He said Nigeria cannot build a competitive industrial economy without reliable power for businesses, households and public institutions.
According to him, the Electricity Act empowers states to develop and regulate their own electricity markets.
”The Act empowers States to develop and regulate intrastate electricity markets within the applicable constitutional and statutory framework.
”State governors can fix electricity without the Federal Government. The size, diversity and endowments of this nation demand this decentralisation.
”Electricity supply must become a shared responsibility, pursued with innovation and accountability across the federation. Our States must shed the habit of waiting for the Federal Government to provide every answer,” he added.
The Vice President cited solar potential in Sokoto, Borno and Katsina, gas resources in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, and hydro opportunities in Niger and Kebbi.
He urged states to turn the resources into investments that can power agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education.
Shettima warned that the law alone will not give light and urged states that have not set up their own electricity regulators to do so immediately.
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