By Our Reporter
The Cross River State House of Assembly earlier today received the report on the Cross River State Electrification Bill 2025 through its House Committee on Power and NDDC.
The Member Representing Biase State Constituency and Chairman House Committee on power and NDDC, Hon. (Engr.) Francis Ogban explained that the Bill is necessitated by the unbundling of the electricity Act from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, as contained in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( Fifth Alteration) Act, ( No 17) 2023.
Hon. Ogban said the Bill is therefore seeking the Cross River State Government to join the likes of other states to domesticated this Act to enable the state generate, transmit and distribute Electricity in Areas covered by the National Grid, and for related matters.
He added that Electricity is a fundamental aspect of modern life and society, playing a vital role in economic growth and development. The availability of Electricity is crucial for various aspects of daily life including, economic growth, quality of life, health and safety, social development, environmental sustainability, industrial growth, job creation, technological advancement, investment promotion among others.
The Bill for a law to establish the Cross River State Electricity Regulatory Commission and for related matters was an Executive Bill, sponsored by Rt. Hon. Francis Bassey Asuquo, Member Representing Odukpani State Constituency and the leader of the 10th Assembly.
The Bill was read the first time on Tuesday, 18th March 2025, while the second reading was on Tuesday, 18th April, 2025. Thereafter, it was committed to the House Committee on power and NDDC for detailed legislative considerations.
