The Benue State Government has revealed plans to enact an electricity law aimed at regulating the state’s energy sector and addressing power-related challenges.
The initiative was disclosed by the Commissioner for Transport, Renewable Energy, and Power, Mr. Omale Omale, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi on Sunday.
Omale explained that a draft of the proposed legislation is currently with the Ministry of Justice for vetting. Once reviewed, it will be presented to the state executive council for approval before being forwarded to the House of Assembly as an executive bill.
The commissioner pointed out that the law is designed to tackle the energy needs of both unserved and underserved communities in the state.
“There are some communities that don’t have electricity infrastructure networks, which represent the unserved group, while there are others with the infrastructure but don’t get regular electricity,” Omale said.
He further emphasized that the ministry had assessed the energy needs of all residents in the state and was committed to resolving the challenges.
Omale also highlighted the opportunities provided by Nigeria’s new Electricity Act, which allows states to participate in the energy market by generating, distributing, and regulating electricity independently.
“This law will address the energy needs in unserved and underserved communities in the state. As a ministry, we know the energy needs of all Benue people, and we are working on it,” he added.
Residents of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, shared their experiences, revealing the devastating effects of power instability on their livelihoods.
Jennifer Tema, a 67-year-old restaurant owner, lamented the frequent collapse of the national grid, which has caused significant losses to her business.
“In recent times, we have witnessed a bit of steady power supply, but this issue of the national grid has caused me a lot of damage. My generator cannot take more than two freezers at a time. I lost over N2 million in the recent power outage. This is really affecting my business,” Tema stated.
She appealed to the government to find alternative energy solutions to mitigate such losses and ensure a more reliable power supply for small businesses.
Similarly, Dennis Tyosula, who operates a computer center and betting shop in Makurdi, described how high fuel costs for generators were crippling his business operations.
“I’m buying fuel between N1,200 and N1,350 per litre to power the generators at my two shops. As a result, I am not making any profit but incurring losses,” Tyosula said.
He revealed that on days without power, he consumes between 16 and 18 litres of fuel, which significantly impacts his earnings.
As the Benue State Government works toward implementing the electricity law, residents like Tema and Tyosula are hopeful that alternative energy sources and better regulation will alleviate the challenges they face.
The proposed law has the potential to transform the state’s energy landscape, empowering businesses and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
