Cross River State has approved a state-owned electricity policy document.
The policy provides a comprehensive roadmap to overhaul the state energy framework, by introducing a competitive market model, underpinned by robust institutional structures.
Governor Bassey Otu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, who presided over the State Executive Council meeting on Thursday, also directed the Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ededem Ani, to make the presentation of the policy document on his behalf.
He disclosed that the electricity policy seeks to transform Cross River State’s power sector, by establishing three key entities, namely, the Cross River State Electricity Regulatory Commission, for independent regulatory oversight, the Cross River State Electrification Agency, to extend reliable power to underserved communities, and the Cross River State Independent System Operator, to streamline system operations.
He further explained that the policy has an ambitious target, to achieve 95 percent electricity access in the state by the year 2028, thereby bridging the energy divide by scaling up generation capacity, enhancing transmission, and distribution efficiency, and promoting rigorous consumer protection and energy efficiency.
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Besides the approved electricity policy document, the State Executive Council also considered, and adopted a draft bill for the enactment of the Cross River State Electricity Law, 2025, which is to be sent to the state House of Assembly for legislative action.
Another important approval by the State Executive Council, was a request that required the state to pay N500 million in counterpart funds to the federal government, in order to receive a matching grant in support of micro, small, and medium enterprises development in the state.
In his remarks earlier at the meeting, the deputy governor, explained that the governor was unavoidably absent, as he was pursuing other important state matters.
He also commended the records of prompt response, by the state security structures in some flashpoints, and demanded that they replicate the commendable response across the state, by justifying the increased mobility that has been provided for them by the state governor.
