By Lawrence Mpama
An emergency meeting of the State Executive Council of Cross River State held on Thursday, March 6, 2025, has approved a presentation from the Governor for a state-owned electricity policy document.
The Cross River State Electricity Policy provides a comprehensive roadmap to overhaul the state energy framework by introducing a competitive market model underpinned by robust institutional structures.
The Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey who presiding over the Executive Council meeting, also directed the State Attorney General, Mr. Ededem Ani, Esq., to make the presentation of the policy document on his behalf.
He disclosed that the electricity policy seeks to transform Cross River State’s power sector by establishing three key entities, namely: the Cross River State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CRSERC) for independent regulatory oversight; the Cross River State Electrification Agency (CRSEA) to extend reliable power to underserved communities; and the Cross River State Independent System Operator (CRSISO) to streamline system operations.
He further explained that the policy has an ambitious target to achieve 95% electricity access in the state by the year 2028, thereby bridging the energy divide by scaling up generation capacity, enhancing transmission and distribution efficiency, and promoting rigorous consumer protection and energy efficiency.
Besides the approved electricity policy document, the State Executive Council also considered and adopted a draft bill for the enactment of the Cross River State Electricity Law, 2025, which is to be sent to the State House of Assembly for proper legislation.
Another important approval of note by the Exco was a request that required the state to pay N500 million in counterpart funds to the federal government in order to receive a matching grant in support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development in the state.
Speaking earlier in his remarks to the meeting, the Deputy Governor, who presided, explained that the Governor was unavoidably absent as he was pursuing other very important state matters.
He also commended the records of prompt response by the State Security structures in some flashpoints and demanded that they replicate the commendable response across the state by justifying the increased mobility that has been provided for them by the state Governor.
