Mohammed Shosanya
The recent order by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) transferring regulatory oversight function to Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau,has been described as “a groundbreaking development for the energy landscape of the state.”
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Akure Branch stated this while commending Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other contributors to the development on Sunday.
According to a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the society, Engr. Adebanji Oluwaseun, MNSE, commended the efforts of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his team, particularly, Engr. Olatunji Ariyomo, who was the Special Adviser(Utilities) to the late governor, and the pursuit of the project by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The group noted that before the new order, there had been abysmal failure of electricity supplies to different parts of the state in the past 16 years, especially Ondo South and parts of Ondo North.
It recalled the impunity with which power service providers have treated the people with an absolute lack of fear of consequences and their notorious refusal to energise completed substations and community transformers across the state in the past 16 years despite huge investments by the government and people of Ondo State.”
It described the recent authorization by NERC as “a groundbreaking development for the energy landscape of Ondo State, to have the regulatory oversight functions over the electricity sector officially transferred to the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau.
“This historic move, effective as of Monday, April 22, 2024, marks a significant milestone in the state’s journey towards self-regulation and improved electricity governance.”
The statement further noted that “Out of the 36 states in Nigeria, Ondo State led the charge in advocating for this crucial change and the decentralisation of the regulation and management of the power sector, underscoring the state’s dedication to serving its residents with reliable and sustainable electricity.
“The courageous action of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration on the 31st of December 2020 in assenting the law which resulted in the creation of the first state electricity regulatory agency in Nigeria, the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, by invoking Sections 14, 15 and 16 of Part 2 Second Schedule of the Constitution under concurrent legislative list, before the amendment of the Constitution, an action that had domino impacts across many states that thereafter started enacting their local electricity legislations independent of the Federal Act.”
Commending key participants that were instrumental in this endeavour, NSE appreciated among others Engr Desmenu Idowu of Anyigba IEDN, Mr. Odion Omonfoma of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, and Prof. Yemi Oke, Professor of Energy Law at UNILAG, whose contributions were vital to the success of this initiative.
It stated that “At the heart of this transition however lies the Ondo State Electric Power Sector Law 2020, crafted, defended, and implemented by Engr. Olatunji Ariyomo, FNSE the pioneer Special Adviser on Energy in Ondo State. The NSE commends this our senior colleague who despite pockets of resistance, his tenacity and wisdom has turned him into a man who saw tomorrow or a man who could create tomorrow.
“Therefore, with the regulatory oversight now in the hands of the state, Ondo State is poised to usher in a new era of electricity governance, characterized by enhanced oversight of distribution companies, grid expansion, prompt resolution of consumer complaints, and the gradual elimination of estimated billings.
“No doubt, the state is now better positioned to earn additional new revenues, witness several emergent new businesses as well as create hundreds of new job opportunities for its youths.”