Govs push for 90,000 MW power boost to serve 90m people in Southern region
.. Forum resolves to advocate for State Police, fiscal federalism, regional devt.
The Southern Governors’ Forum has emphasized the urgent need to address the inadequate power supply in the region, which is the economic and industrial hub of the country.
The forum has targeted to generate 90,000 MW of electricity to serve the estimated 90 million people in the region, using the rule of thumb of 1,000 MW per 1 million population.
This was disclosed in a communique signed by the chairman, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor and other other Southern governors on Monday.
The communique reads partly, “Being the economic and industrial hub of the country, the Forum highlighted the need to address the inadequate power supply in the region.
“To achieve 90,000 MW of electricity to adequately serve the estimated 90 million people in the Southern Region (using the rule of thumb of 1,000 MW per 1 million population), member states were encouraged to take advantage of the recent constitutional amendment that now allows states to regulate, generate, transmit and distribute electricity whilst also considering renewable sources of energy.”
Also, the forum reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the creation of state police, fiscal federalism, and regional development and the governors.
The governors also discussed the controversy surrounding the tenure of Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State and reiterated their support for the position of the law and constitution. They resolved to remain united and committed to promoting intra-region trade, partnerships, and investment facilitation through a structured and coordinated approach.
Meanwhile, the forum announced the establishment of the Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA), which will outline a holistic plan for fostering trade, investment, sustainable growth, and development in the region. The SSDA will work with individual states’ investment agencies, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and multilateral agencies.
“The Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA) will be set up and will comprise a team whose primary responsibility is to outline a holistic plan to foster trade and investment, sustainable growth and development, economic prosperity, social harmony, and food security for the region.
“They will work hand in glove with individual states’ Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agencies, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and other multilateral agencies,” it added.
