By Simon Akoje

An Energy Expert, Prof. Yemi Oke, has urged the Federal Government to diversify and decentralise the Electricity Sector and its value chain to unlock its immense prospects.

Oke, a Lecturer of Energy Law, University of Lagos, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said that diversifying and decentralising are some panaceas in addressing the country’s electricity challenges.

“Currently, the country has moved from a centralised regime to having a decentralised system under this government.

“The state now has all the powers to generate, transit, distribute as well as regulate electricity in their respective states,” Oke said.

He stressed that Nigerians should be more innovative and harness the prospects of renewable energy in addressing their electricity needs, adding that this energy form was also cleaner.

The don also said that many companies were beginning to generate electricity through gas, but the impediment was the market.

“Companies cannot place in on the transition infrastructure which is weak, and the government is currently decentralising the process.

“So, if any company is generating independently, they will be reluctant to place it on the grid,” Oke said.

He stressed that the issues associated with the grid was regrettable because it was quite tasking to manage due to the possibilities of dilapidation over time.

“However, the world is moving towards off-grid because the on-grid is challenging and many are exploring mini-grid options in accessing electricity,” Oke said.

Similarly, Dr Olukayode Akinrolabu, Chairman, Customer Consultative Forum, Eko Distribution Company for Festac and Satellite Town, advocated for the reenactment of a new electricity policy or an act.

“The act or policy is expected to align and work with the 28 generating plants or it should be decentralised and allow each states to produce the required megawatts of electricity most suitable for their needs.

“Then when combined with the various component states, one will realise that we have attained 20,000 megawatts of electricity,” Akinrolobu said.

He stressed that over concentration of power on the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) would not result in the necessary growth in the sector.

“The state’s Independent Electricity Act should be implemented to the latter, which means each state should be allowed to have their own transmission company and be able to generate their own megawatts of electricity.

“Then independent distribution companies can deal with them, so when not satisfied with a particular electricity provider, individuals can have options to change,”Akinrolabu said.

He said that the country could generate and distribute about 50,000 megawatts of electricity in no distant time, if each state commenced generation and distribution of power.

NAN reports that recently, Nigeria generated 5,801 megawatts of electricity, the highest ever by the country.

The Head of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this at the State House, Abuja.

Mr Abdulaziz said his state-owned TCN successfully transmitted all the generated electricity to the centres. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare