Abia State Government says it has commenced the process of transferring regulatory authority over electricity matters from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the newly established Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA).
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Umuahia on developments in the State’s power and water sectors.
Mr. Monday explained that the move to establish ASERA aligns with the constitutional amendment that allows States to regulate electricity within their jurisdictions.
“In terms of power, as an update, we started the process of transferring regulatory authority from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority.
“So that process has started and it takes about six months to get that process going. Once that process is completed, that means we will be able to regulate all the electricity-related components within the state, ranging from distribution to generation, transmission, even up to metering”, the Commissioner stated.
He also announced that the State Government has concluded arrangements to commence the rehabilitation of the CKC Water Scheme in Aba as part of its efforts to ensure the availability of potable water in the State’s Commercial nerve centre.
“We’ve concluded all the modalities for the flag-off of the CKC water scheme rehabilitation. This is the water scheme that will provide potable water supply to some parts of Aba and the environs.
“So this is in line with His Excellency’s promise to Aba, to provide potable drinking water to our people”, Mr Monday added.
He emphasized that the CKC Water Scheme and the electricity regulatory transfer initiative are part of Governor Otti’s administration’s efforts to improve critical infrastructure in the State and enhance the quality of life for residents.
