Cross River approves state electricity policy

The Cross River State Executive Council approved a state-owned electricity policy during an emergency meeting on Thursday.

The Cross River State Electricity Policy outlines a comprehensive plan to reform the state’s energy framework by establishing a competitive market model supported by robust institutional structures.

The state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, chaired the Executive Council meeting and instructed the State Attorney General, Mr. Ededem Ani, to present the policy document on his behalf.

Another significant decision made by the Exco was to approve a request for the state to allocate N500 million in counterpart funds to the federal government to secure a matching grant aimed at supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development in the state.

He explained that the electricity policy aims to revamp Cross River State’s power sector by creating three essential entities: the Cross River State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CRSERC) for independent regulatory oversight; the Cross River State Electrification Agency (CRSEA) to provide reliable power to underserved areas; and the Cross River State Independent System Operator (CRSISO) to optimize system operations.

The policy, according to the council, sets an ambitious goal of achieving 95% electricity access in the state by 2028, aiming to close the energy gap by increasing generation capacity, improving transmission and distribution efficiency, and promoting strong consumer protection and energy efficiency.

In addition to the electricity policy document, the Executive Council also reviewed and approved a draft bill for the establishment of the Cross River State Electricity Law, 2025, which will be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for legislative action.

In his comments during the meeting, the Deputy Governor explained the Governor’s absence due to his engagement in other critical state matters. He also praised the quick response of State Security forces in certain areas and urged them to maintain this level of responsiveness throughout the state, justifying the increased mobility provided to them by the Governor.

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