By Modupe Bankole
The Oyo State Government has commenced the establishment of its own electricity market as part of efforts to achieve full power coverage across the state by 2035.
This development was revealed by the Commissioner for Energy, Prof. Dahud Sangodoyin, during a stakeholder engagement on the draft Oyo State Electricity Policy and Electricity Bill, held in Ibadan.
According to him, the review of the draft bill and policy is a crucial step toward creating a legal and regulatory framework that will empower the state to issue licenses for electricity transmission and distribution.
He added that the plan outlines short, medium, and long-term goals, with the short-term phase opening the market to private sector participation once the law is enacted.
Prof. Sangodoyin further reaffirmed Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to improving residents’ standard of living and boosting economic growth through reliable electricity access.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Abiodun Aikomo, stressed the need for a modern legal framework that will show current realities in the power sector. He explained that the proposed law would cover licensing for independent operators and investors, theft prevention, regulatory powers, and promotion of clean energy.
The proposed Oyo State Electricity Bill also seeks to strengthen the state electricity regulatory commission, encourage renewable energy development, provide legal backing for electricity-related offenses, and streamline existing electricity laws in the state.
