The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued power generation and distribution licences to two firms to independently generate and distribute 9.5 megawatts of electricity in the popular Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia State.
The regulator issued the power generation licence to Ariaria Market Independent Power Plant Limited, while Ariaria Independent Energy Distribution Network Limited got the right to distribute the embedded electricity in the market.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the commission said, “NERC, in pursuit of overriding public interest, has granted a 9.5MW embedded electricity generation licence to Ariaria Market Independent Power Plant Limited and an Independent Electricity Distribution Licence to distribute same within the Ariaria Market to Ariaria Independent Energy Distribution Network Limited.”
It explained that the licences were in accordance with the laws guiding the power sector, adding that the move would promote access to electricity and impact positively on the outputs of industries in the area.
NERC said, “The licences, issued in line with Section 71(6) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, were granted after careful consideration of the applications in the public interest to promote access to common good and to promote commercialisation and industrialisation for which Ariaria, a leading commercial hub in the country, is reputed.
“Both licences granted to Araiaria were affirmation of the commission’s commitment and response to the long-time yearnings of the market for a stable, reliable and sustainable electricity supply to improve the quality of goods and services by Nigerian enterprises and entrepreneurs.”
PUNCH.
