Politically speaking, the President Buhari-led federal government has removed the veil that states normally hide under to make excuses for not getting involved in the issues of power generation, transmission and distribution to their citizens by signing the Fifth Alteration Bill No.33, Devolution of Powers (National Grid System). This bill permits sub nationals to delve into the issue of power generation, transmission and distribution of electricity as it has removed this item from the exclusive legislative list, which is a positive move that can be said to be in response to the loud agitation for restructuring of the humongous exclusive legislative list that contains sixty eight (68) items.

Given the fact that both Lagos and Akwa Ibom states have taken the bull by the horn in the past by going ahead to build generation plants (AES and Ibom power respectively)  even when they faced stiff resistance from the federal government, this law means that all that states require is to generate the relevant political will to pursue power sufficiency for their citizens by either investing directly or indirectly through partnership with the private sector in building generation stations to meet the needs of their people.

Previously, states have rural electrification agencies that play essential role in power distribution by purchasing and installing distribution transformers. This should continue after establishing a working relationship with the DISCOs in order to avoid being accused of infringement or trespass into their franchise.

In addition, states should emulate the cited examples of Lagos and Akwa Ibom states by exploring their huge potentials in both renewable and non-renewable energy sources to attain self-sufficiency in power generation. The fact is that there is no state without a source of power generation in Nigeria and it is advisable for states along the axis of the existing and proposed gas pipelines like the existing Warri-Lagos and the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipelines to import gas turbines and install same for the purpose of power generation while those endowed with renewable sources like solar, wind, biomass should latch on to this opportunity to install power stations within their territories. Since they are now permitted to transmit electricity, they can liaise and cooperate with TCN to upgrade existing transmission infrastructure and construct new lines into areas without electricity.

To improve the quality of life of Nigerians, states must take interest in providing power supply to their people as power is a catalyst capable of reducing unemployment and giving impetus to the industrialization of every society. Furthermore, the sector has been liberalized making it possible for stakeholders to export excess power so as to earn additional revenue.

It is hoped that states will do the needful by taking advantage of this bill to get involved in the power sector and also woo genuine investors to participate in this critical sector.