ADAMAWA ELECTRICITY BILL SCALES 2ND READING AT ADHA

Relief may soon come to the inhabitants of Adamawa State as new bill seeking to establish Adamawa State Electricity Commission has scaled 2nd reading at the Adamawa State House of Assembly.

The seconded reading of the bill, followed motion to that effect by the Member representing Shelleng constituency, Hon. Kantomon Naftali Bulus, on Monday.

The legislation is seeking to establish commission saddled with the responsibility of generating power for the citizens of state.

Already, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Works, Energy, Land and Survey by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, for scrutiny and given 2 weeks to report back to the assembly.

Reading the general principles of the bill during the sitting, Hon. Kantomon, said that prior to the bill, the issue of electricity was that of the Federal Government, under the exclusive list.

Hon. Kantomon noted that the FG considered the need for diversification in energy sector and amended the Constitution to allow States to generate electricity for its citizens.

According to him, the bill was conceived to enable the State establish its electricity for the benefit of its citizens, saying that electricity plays a crucial role in the life of their constituents.

"The Bill under reference is therefore intended to establish an electricity Commission for the State with the powers of establishing, management and regulating the State power", he explained.

According to him, it will provide a framework to stimulate the establishment, development and utilization of renewable energy sources and create an enabling environment to attract investment in renewable energy sources in order to increase renewable energy to the energy in Adamawa State.

He said it will provide a framework for the improvement of access to electricity in rural and urban areas through the use of conventional sources to enhance indigenous capacity in technology.

The lawmaker added that it will develop frameworks for the protection of electricity infrastructure, prescribe effective punitive measures against electricity theft and other offences related to the electricity supply industry.

Hon. Kantomon Naftali Bulus, urged his colleagues to allow the bill to be read the second time and also support it subsequent stages for the benefit of their constituents.