The Cross River Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Hon Prince Eka Williams has attributed the constitution of the state Electricity Committee to the increasing challenges and demands in the power sector.
Eka Williams said in a chat with The Beagle News that his office has accordingly announced the state Electricity Act Committee to come up with a law to address these inadequacies.
The power committee which was approved by His Excellency Governor Bassey Otu is led by the Chairman, House Committee on Power and Member representing Bakassi state constituency, Hon Eyo Bassey has representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Justice and the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy as members.
Hon Prince Eka Williams who described the move as "a crucial step towards advancing our state's power and Renewable Energy sector" charged the committee to come up with recommendations on power generation, transmission and distribution and a law that would be attractive and palatable for investors.
Williams acknowledged the huge potential of Cross River, particularly in the area of power generation but however admitted that lack of adequate infrastructure posed a great challenge to the take off of the sector.
He said Cross River was in dire need of proper legislation to address these areas of weakness hence the constitution of the committee to address grey areas and develop a robust market policy and strategy for Cross River According to him, the linear nature of the state settlement makes it one of the longest in terms of length making transmission a big problem for the three Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos in charge of the state.
He called on relevant and genuine investors to partner with the state especially in the area of power generation where it has comparative advantage in the use of solar, wind and hydro stating that government was looking for companies with the technical know how in these regards.
Williams assured that with this step ,Cross Riverians and residents will benefit maximally as the economy will boom because of added incentive.
The Commissioner disclosed that government has opened up discussions with some notable companies in the power sector towards realization of the goal and commended the state governor, Bassey Otu for his drive in infrastructural development.
By Victor Udu, The Beagle News
