REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. AKINWUNMI AMBODE, GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE LAGOS STATE POWER COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY 10^TH DECEMBER 2015 AT THE LAGOS HOUSE, ALAUSA-IKEJA, LAGOS.

It is common knowledge that power supply is a major challenge we must address in order to achieve sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria, and Lagos State in particular. A mere 10% improvement in power supply will directly increase the GDP of Lagos State by 20%.

No State in the Federation is more affected by the state of the power sector than Lagos. The reason is simple: Lagos State accounts for over 60% of the industrial and commercial activities in Nigeria. The energy requirement for Lagos State is estimated at about 5,000 Mega Watts of which only about 1,000 Mega Watts is supplied. Our greatest impediments today are the low or non-investment in transmission capacity and high loss rate between generation and distribution.

In view of the importance of power supply to the Lagos economy, and the concerns that have been expressed particularly by the business community, this administration has considered it expedient to constitute an advisory Committee on Power to be chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Adebule.

The Lagos State Advisory Committee on Power being inaugurated today will consist of representatives from the State Government and industry experts from the Private Sector.

As such, the members of the committee shall include:

• The Honourable Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources
• The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
• The Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy
• Representatives from;
  • Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company
  • Eko Electricity Distribution Company
  • Transmission Company of Nigeria
  • Gaslink Nigeria Limited
  • Falcon Corporation Limited
  • Egbin Power Plc

The Terms of Reference for this committee are:

• To create an enabling environment to ensure 24-hour power supply in Lagos State;
• To guide in the development of a roadmap for reliable power supply in Lagos;
• To foster collaboration and develop a congress/platform for all major power stakeholders in the State and The Private Sector.

The ultimate goal is to make electricity available to Lagosians for both business and domestic use and this committee will be instrumental in the speedy realization of this objective.

I have no doubt that given your experience, expertise and understanding of issues to be addressed, I can confidently look forward to receiving from you, well thought out and far-reaching recommendations that will Light Up continually.

In order to underscore this administration’s commitment to security of lives and property, we have embarked on an aggressive programme of Lighting-Up Lagos.

As such, our major highways and streets are being connected from point to point using our IPP’s and other means effectively.

Permit me to use this platform to announce our new initiative; “Light Up Lagos Initiative”. We have decided to encourage individuals, private homes and corporate organisations to take up streets/roads of their choices and light them up (Street Lights) with connections to their meters or generators.

In return, government will make concessions to these individuals and corporate organisations in the payment of their annual Land Use Charges. In addition, they shall receive Special Commendation letters from the Governor.

Such projects will also be commissioned by government officials and Community Development Associations.

We believe that this initiative will promote a new culture of co-operation and ownership. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is hereby directed to further publicise and promote this initiative.

Thank you.

Akinwunmi Ambode

Governor of Lagos State,

Alausa.

10th December, 2015