NERC Appeals for Legislative Support to Unbundle TCN Amidst Nigeria’s Energy Crisis.
Amidst Nigeria’s persistent energy crisis, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has called upon the National Assembly to enact legislation aimed at unbundling the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). This appeal, made by NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Power, seeks to enhance TCN’s operational efficiency to address the country’s power challenges effectively.
Garba highlighted concerns regarding TCN‘s performance, citing numerous incomplete projects within the company’s portfolio. He emphasized TCN’s crucial role in the power sector’s value chain and stressed the necessity for significant capital investment to elevate TCN into a world-class transmission company. Garba urged for increased budgetary allocations or alternative funding mechanisms to tackle TCN’s infrastructure deficiencies and enhance service delivery.
During the visit, Garba expressed hope that the National Assembly would provide the necessary support for TCN’s reforms and unbundling efforts. He also mentioned President Buhari’s approval of the presidential metering initiative aimed at bridging the metering gap, seeking the Assembly’s assistance in its successful implementation.
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In their oversight responsibilities, the committee also visited the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), where the new Acting Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, outlined the agency’s initiatives to deploy mini-grid power plants in various states, including Abuja and federal universities. The objective is to diminish reliance on generator sets for power supply, contributing to improved electricity access nationwide.
NERC’s appeal underscores the urgency of addressing infrastructure challenges within Nigeria’s power sector to alleviate the ongoing energy crisis. The collaboration between regulatory bodies, government agencies, and the legislature is essential to implement effective reforms and ensure sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s power woes.
