TheCable

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says it has approved a 9.5 megawatts (MW) embedded electricity generation and distribution licence to two firms.

The firms are to provide electricity for the popular Ariaria market in Aba, Abia state.

Vivian Mbonu, head of NERC media unit, said the commission issued 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.

She said the licences were issued in line with the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005 after careful consideration of the applications in public interest to promote access to electricity and impact positively on the outputs of industries in the area.

The statement read: “NERC, in pursuit of overriding public interest , has granted a 9 .5 MW 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.

“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.”