The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, has called for harmonisation of regulatory and operational activities in the Nigerian Electricity Market.
Chief Tegbe argued that this will ensure that power sector players work towards the onerous goal of increasing access to electricity supply for Nigerians, as power remains the bedrock for the development of any nation.
The workshop, had its theme as: ‘Legal, Policy and Regulatory Harmonisation between Federal and State Institutions on the Decentralisation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI)’
IN his opening address, Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Musiliu Oseni, joined the Minister of Power to call for harmony in the multi-tier electricity market.
Dr Oseni noted that Nigerians are less concerned about which institution regulates the sector or formulates policy and are more interested in having reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply.
The NERC Chairman urged all actors within the emerging multi-tier electricity market to sustain dialogue, strengthen cooperation and remain focused on delivering improved outcomes for electricity consumers.
“Nigerians do not really care about who regulates what or who is responsible for policymaking, but they strongly care about the availability and reliability of supply. It does not matter to them who drives the sector, be it state or federal, but who actually meets their supply needs.
“It is on this basis that l
wish to urge all actors in the room to reflect, drop our ego and personal interests, embrace dialogue and let us all work together to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.
“We must create a strategic platform where regulatory and policy dialogues on the issues relating to the power sector take place.
“Relatively more frequent and more focused policy meetings with state commissioners may be adopted as against the annual and somewhat large gathering adopted in the past.
“These will ensure frequent touchpoints between the federal and the state governments on policy implementation and coordination, especially during this transition phase.
