FG and Lagos agree joint committees for electricity supply improvements

The Federal Government and Lagos State Government have agreed to establish joint committees to coordinate improvements in electricity supply, with Lagos serving as the starting point for a wider power-market initiative.

The agreement was reached on Monday at a ministerial implementation retreat on the Clean Lagos Electricity Market at Lagos House, Marina. The discussions covered market rules, regulation and technical and operational obstacles to more reliable supply.

Power Minister Joseph Tegbe said the aim was to turn the discussions into practical measures, including actions that could improve supply relatively quickly. The stated ambition is round-the-clock electricity, not an announcement that Lagos already has 24-hour power.

Vanguard reported that a Joint Technical Working Committee would be co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos Ministry of Energy and the Managing Director of the Lagos State Independent System Operator. Membership would include the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Rural Electrification Agency, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Federal Ministry of Power and Lagos electricity-market institutions.

A Steering Committee would oversee implementation, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as chairman and Tegbe as co-chairman, according to Vanguard. Other members would include the federal power ministry’s permanent secretary, the Special Adviser on Power and Lagos Commissioner for Energy Biodun Ogunleye.

Sanwo-Olu said the retreat brought federal and state officials together for frank discussions on the main supply challenges and measures that could be implemented quickly. Nigerian Tribune reported that he wanted electricity consumers to feel the impact through improved supply.

Tegbe said the approach would begin in the Lagos axis before extending to the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridors. Vanguard attributed an estimate of 40 to 50 per cent of national electricity demand to the Lagos axis, explaining the choice of the area as a pilot.

NaijaTrend previously reported federal talks with distribution companies on proposed 24-hour power zones here. The committees announced at Monday’s retreat would coordinate and supervise implementation of the measures agreed for Lagos.

Sources: Vanguard, Nigerian Tribune