Lagos needs 5000MW electricity, says Ambode

The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has put the state’s power requirement at about 5000 Mega Watts (MW) against 1,000MW being supplied to the state from the national grid. from the national grid.

Ambode, who lamented the shortfall during the inauguration of a committee on light up Lagos imitative, said the current situation has impacted negatively on the socio-economic development of the state.

Ambode therefore charged the committee members to assist the state to achieve a 24- hour power solution that would bring about social security, economic development and improvement in the well being of Lagosians.

Charging members of the committee drawn from the public and private sector to support the light up Lagos initiative, the Governor said: “Power remains vital to Lagosians as 10 per cent increase in power supply to the state has 20 per cent corresponding increase in the state’s GDP as 60 per cent of national commercial activities take place in Lagos State. It is therefore expedient that we constitute this committee that will assist us to ensure that electricity supply to our homes and business is guarantee,”

Decrying the low investment in transmission capacity, the Governor promised rebate on land use charge and a letter of recommendation from the state government to individuals and corporate bodies who will assist in powering street lights and adjoining roads in the communities.

He stated that Lagos State accounts for over 60 per cent of the industrial and commercial activities in Nigeria, emphasizing that the energy requirement for the state is estimated at about 5,000 MW of which only about 1000 MW is currently being supplied; hence the need to inaugurate a committee that would ensure the power need of the people is met.