Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged state governments to stop relying solely on the Federal Government to address local electricity challenges and establish functional electricity markets under the Electricity Act 2023.
He made the call at the opening of a national stakeholders’ workshop on the Act at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, Shettima said reliable electricity was critical to building a competitive industrial economy and driving economic growth.
He noted that the Act empowers states to develop and regulate electricity markets within their jurisdictions, enabling them to harness local energy resources to meet their needs.
The Vice President highlighted the solar potential of Sokoto, Borno and Katsina states, the gas resources of Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, and the hydropower opportunities in Niger and Kebbi states.
He urged states yet to establish electricity regulatory bodies to begin the necessary legislative and institutional processes without delay.
Shettima also proposed a voluntary National Electricity Reform Peer Review and Implementation Framework to promote collaboration, strengthen regulatory capacity and monitor progress in electricity market development, investment and consumer protection.
