By Bisola Adeyemo
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday unveiled “Lagos State Electricity Policy”, aimed at ramping up procurement of pre-paid meters for distribution to residents, for transparency in the supply chain and to prevent electricity theft.
Part of the implementation of the electricity policy also provides a cleaner, reliable, affordable, and uninterrupted power supply to residents.
While unveiling the policy, organised by the State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Sanwo-Olu, said the electricity policy articulated constitutional, legal, engineering and commercial foundations for creating a viable sub-national electricity system that would cater for energy needs of the state.
“Energy requirement that will keep Lagos economy on the path of growth has far exceeded the current 1,000 megawatts being supplied from the national grid, necessitating the move to explore alternative sources.
“Given Lagos state’s status as the commercial nerve-centre and economic hub of Nigeria, it is our firm belief that the attainment of universal electricity access in the state will accelerate the same across other parts of the country.
“There will be no economic development without sustainable energy. The economy needs energy to run, and our objective as a government is to deliver sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity to all residents.
“The electricity policy being unveiled today does not only articulate the problems in the sector, but it is also futuristic in the implementation of its provisions,” he said.
While calling on partnership from private firms, Sanwo-Olu said the electricity policy would only be actualized if the private partners showed equal commitment as the government, to boost capacity in off-grid generation and distribution networks.
“As a government, we believe one person cannot do it all. We need ideas and knowledge from each other, and form real partnership for coordination in the implementation of this framework.
“We must continue to ensure profitable partnerships to push investments, be audacious and accountable,” Sanwo-Olu said.