Forum Threatens Legal Action Over Electricity Act Amendments

The Electricity Consumers Protection Forum, represented by coordinator Adeola Samuel, has threatened legal action against the National Assembly over proposed amendments to the Electricity Act 2023. The forum argues that these amendments would reverse the decentralization established by the Electricity Act, signed into law on March 17, 2023, which allows 15 states to create their own electricity markets.

Samuel contends that the proposed changes would erode the autonomy of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) by restoring regulatory oversight to the commission, thereby undermining the authority granted to state regulatory bodies. He warns that such amendments would strip state assemblies of their power to legislate on electricity markets, leading to further exploitation by electricity distribution companies.

The forum insists that the current legal framework is sufficient for state regulation and cautions that any amendments perceived as repugnant to the constitution will be challenged in court.