Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that Nigerian lawmakers are in the National Assembly not for personal gain, but to make sacrifices for the benefit of future generations. He made this remark on Tuesday during the debate on the general principles of a bill to amend the Electricity Act, 2023.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio emphasized the importance of addressing the critical issues in the country’s electricity sector, noting that economic and industrial growth cannot happen without a reliable power supply.
“People think we are here in the Senate to make money, not knowing that we are here to sacrifice for future generations,” Akpabio said during plenary.
About the Electricity Amendment Bill
The proposed legislation, titled Bill for an Act to Amend the Electricity Act, 2023 (SB. 862), was sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power (APGA – Abia South). The bill aims to:
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Address emerging issues in the Nigerian electricity sector
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Enhance policy and regulatory coordination
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Strengthen sectoral financing and investor confidence
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Protect critical electricity infrastructure
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Redefine host community engagement by licensees
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Clarify transitional arrangements, especially concerning state vs. federal oversight
Key Reforms and Goals
A central provision of the bill is the clarification of transitional processes for transferring intrastate electricity matters from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to state governments. This is especially relevant to the operation of the national grid and other overlapping jurisdictional issues between the federal and state governments.
Akpabio noted that Nigerians are looking forward to a total overhaul of the power sector, adding that a reformed electricity industry is key to Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
Legislative Progress
The bill successfully scaled second reading in the Senate. It has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Power for further legislative work. The committee is expected to report back within six weeks.
