The National Economic Council (NEC) has constituted a committee on national electrification to deepen states’ engagement within the Electricity Reform Act, 2023 and the National Electricity Strategy and Implementation Plan to end the collapse of the nation’s power grid.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa disclosed on Thursday, while briefing reporters at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that the committee would help address the challenges in the power sector.

Mr Aiyedatiwa named Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River as chairman of the committee and Governors Dikko Radda Katsina and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe as members.

He said other members are the governors of Osun, Imo and Plateau, and the Ministers of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Minister of Power and Social Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change are also committee members.

He also listed other members as the Social Adviser to the President on Power, the managing director of the Rural Electrician Agency and the managing director of the Nigeria Delta Power Holding Company.

The governor explained that the committee’s terms of reference have to do with deepened states’ involvement to take advantage of the act.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the managing director of the Rural Electrification Agency briefed the council on the impact of the agency’s activities in providing rural electrification to institutions, healthcare facilities and business settings.

The governor said the council resolved that Nigeria needs to reform and diversify its electricity system apart from the one from the national grid.

He added that the council further observed that by empowering states, accessibility and affordability of electricity would ensure that all regions effectively meet their specific energy needs.

(NAN)