By Calista Oyeoba / Posted January 27, 2025
The Lagos State Electricity Law, 2024 (LSEL) was signed into law on December 3, 2024 by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The law aims to make electricity more reliable and accessible in Lagos State.
The implementation of the Law, will hopefully, roll back the culture of blackness within the state and bolster the business climate, emphasized the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye.
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Ogunleye highlighted the broad benefits of this plan at a Power Sector seminar, organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI), with the theme: Lagos State Electricity law roundtable, saying the law is aimed at accelerating renewable energy adoption, expanding energy access and fostering innovation in the state’s power sector.
Ogunleye highlighted the law’s decentralization of the electricity market and its potential to attract investments, foster industrial growth, and achieve environmental sustainability.
“This law will usher Lagos into a reliable and uninterrupted electricity,” emphasizing its role in enabling public-private partnerships and creating an investor-friendly environment.
The law reflects the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for residents while strengthening the state’s position as a hub for innovation and investment. It promises a brighter future with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for all Lagosians.
The commissioner said: “The law at the end of the day will give every one of us in Lagos access to electricity and the assets will be such that we have what we need to be the best that we can be at our levels. “It’s going to be such a transformation to see 24/ 7 supply at prices that people can look forward.
“It will eliminate energy poverty and cultural blackout within the city, noting that some of the challenges of poor energy are systemic, advising stakeholders to key in for a positive change.
‘Some of the hurdles have been with us since 20, 30 years ago. So, in resolving them, the first thing we need to do is to get all the stakeholders to understand the best route to resolving them.”
He urged stakeholders, business owners to collaborate with the state government to achieve this goal.
Martin’s Arogie, Chairman of the LCCI Power Sector and a KPMG partner, emphasizes the critical role of proper implementation, warning that poor execution could derail the initiative. He noted that the state government aims to create conditions conducive to investor confidence and business growth through this energy transformation.
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“Well, like one of the participants already said, the plans look very great but implementation can destroy a very good plan. So. it’s about implementation, and that’s what’s key”, he said.
You can see clearly that the plans are good, and participants are in a sense, excited by the level of details the commission has gone into today.
“I think the most important thing is that Lagos State is open for business, to engage and collaborate to achieve the mission and the vision, as the Commissioner said, to eliminate blackouts from Lagos.”
Overall, this law holds the potential to significantly improve energy access and affordability in Lagos, provided it is implemented effectively with broad stakeholder engagement.
NOTE: Calista is a Trainee-journalist who contributes regularly to DDNEWSONLINE.COM from the Department of Mass Communication, Ekocity Polytechnic, Lagos.