The Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a landmark bill aimed at providing electricity to citizens across the state. The bill, designed to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for electricity services, was approved during the resumed sitting on Tuesday.
Presiding over the session, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, directed the Clerk to prepare a clean copy of the bill for Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri following its passage. The bill, read for the third time, was passed on a motion by the Majority Leader and Member representing Demsa Constituency, Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno.
The legislation seeks to repeal the Gongola Basin Energy Development Company Law of 2009 and establish a modern framework for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, supply, trading, and consumer protection within Adamawa State.
According to a report presented by the House Committee on Works, headed by Hon. Japhet Hammajabu (Leko-Koma), the repeal and re-enactment of the law is intended to create a state-level electricity market. The report noted that the state can harness local resources such as solar, hydro, or natural gas to generate power, reduce dependence on external fuel imports, and mitigate price volatility.
The committee highlighted that empowering both state and private investors to generate electricity locally will increase overall power availability and address historical supply deficiencies. It added that closer proximity of power generation to consumers reduces transmission losses and risks of damage to electricity infrastructure caused by windstorms or vandalism.
Furthermore, the bill advocates for the establishment of a State Electricity Commission and consumer grievance redressal forums to ensure accountability of service providers and accessible mechanisms for addressing consumer complaints. The committee emphasized that a state-level electricity market would be more efficient, responsive, and tailored to local needs, fostering socio-economic development and improving the quality of life for residents.
