Nigeria lawmakers on Tuesday passed a constitutional amendment bill that will allow state governments generate, transmit and supply electricity, a move that will break the monopoly of the federal government.
The bill which passed in the both the House of Representatives and the Senate is part of several amendment bills to 1999 constitution.
Both chambers voted and passed “A Bill For An Act to alter the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to allow States generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid; and for related matters.”
A Bill For An Act to alter the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to allow States generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid; and for related matters.
Ayes 298
Nays 2Ayes have it.
— House of Reps NGR (@HouseNGR) March 1, 2022
The bill now has to be approved by the lawmakers in the 36 states in the country before it will be signed into law by the president.
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Nigeria’s installed electricity generation capacity is estimated at 13,000 megawatts but only 7,500 megawatts is available. Meanwhile, less than 4,000 megawatts is distributed daily to the grids, in a country with over 200 million people.
Also a bill to allow independent candidates to contest in Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Councils elections was passed.
A Bill For an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the FRN, 1999 to provide for independent candidacy in Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Councils elections;and for related matters
Ayes 269
Nays 28
Passed— House of Reps NGR (@HouseNGR) March 1, 2022
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
