Constitutional amendment allowing states to generate, transmit, distribute power will increase per capita electricity consumption- Viathan Engineering Ltd
Oredola Adeola
The alteration of the 1999 constitution allowing states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid will lead to an increase in per capita electricity consumption and power access, offering Nigeria the opportunity to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 goal.
This was contained in a statement by Viathan Engineering commending the outgoing Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari for assenting the amendment of the 1999 constitution, altering the provisions that tends to make the electricity an exclusive preserve of the Federal Government.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SD7 goal) aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, opportunity such as this, provides embedded and captive power companies in Nigeria, the opportunity to collaborate with the State Governments to provide electricity to more unserved and underserved electricity consumers in Nigeria.
EnergyDay’s check showed that Viathan Engineering is one of leading providers of captive and embedded power in Nigeria, providing uninterrupted and reliable power solutions to government, commercial and residential clients in the Nigerian electricity off-grid space using natural gas as fuel.
According to the captive power provider, the most notable of the amendments of the 1999 constitution is the fifth Alteration (No 17) which seeks to alter the constitution of the FGN 1999, to permit States to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid.
It said, “We are delighted by this development as it seamlessly aligns with the vision of our founders and our corporate strategy which reflects the proactivity that Viathans has shown over the years in partnering with the State Government.
“Viathan has always maintained that greater state government involvement in electricity generation and distribution will lead to substantial economic advantages at both the state and federal levels.
“As we welcome this development, it is important that we keep up the momentum and galvanise stakeholders across the value chain.
“The devolution has the potential to catalyse the development and expansion of DisCo’s franchise areas and provide opportunities to deepen collaboration and partnership with other developers, thereby creating more value for consumers,” the Viathan in the statement said.
The embedded power company however emphasised that the amendment is a very timely reminder that Nigeria has the potential to meet the SDG 7 goal.
EnergyDay’s further findings showed that Viathan Engineering Ltd provides off-grid power solutions through gas-fired plants in different parts of Lagos and Ogun state, including- PIPP LVI Genco (Lekki), Akute Power Plant, Island Power Plant, Lisabi Power (Ogun State), and Ilupeju Power Plant.
The existing combined capacity of all the Independent Power Plants (IPP’s) is 60MW, with a target to grow capacity to 200MW within a five-year period.
