By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Monday held a stakeholders engagement Town hall ahead of the Electricity Market Kick off with a call for support from relevant stakeholders.
In two thousand and three, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law the Electricity Act which allows states, companies, and individuals to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity.
In domesticating the Act in Kogi State, the Confluence State, the State House of Assembly signed the bill establishing Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission into law last year as stakeholders gathered on Monday in Lokoja to brainstorm ahead of the Electricity Market Kick off expected to commence in the next few days.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Rural and Energy Development, Engineer Mohammed Abdulmutalib, noted that the engagement is important as it is the beginning of better days ahead for electricity consumers in the State.
According to him, the Commission is getting the needed support owing to the political will and support of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who had worked in the energy sector before venturing into politics.
Engineer Abdulmutalib said the government has been strategic in its approach to Electricity regulation, assuring that the government will protect the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
He called for collaboration and support for the Commission to ensure the affordable, qualitative and reliable electricity to the people.
Earlier, the Chairman, Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Engineer Ibrahim Abdulwaaris stated that giving a legal framework to the Commission and the commencement of Electricity Market will attract more development to the State.
Engineer Abdulwaaris enumerated the roles of the Agency to include; ensuring fair, transparent and cost reflective tariff, public engagement as well as fair hearing and responsive to issues brought before the Commission.
Some Stakeholders at the Town Hall, Idris Miliki, Professor John Alabi and Eunice Agbogun applauded the State Government for establishing the Agency.
