Buhari signs amended constitution to allow states generate, transmit electricity

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a constitutional amendment moving electricity from the Exclusive Legislative to the Concurrent Legislative list.

This means that states can now license, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in the country.

Presidential social media aide, Tolu Ogunlesi made this known in a Friday tweet.

He tweeted, “JUST IN: President @MBuhari has signed 16 Constitution Amendment Bills into Law. By this signing, State Houses of Assembly & Judiciaries now have constitutionally-guaranteed financial independence, while Railways have moved from Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.

“Another landmark change: By virtue of the Presidential Assent, Nigerian States can NOW generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. Wasn’t allowed pre-amendment.

“This is genuine, realistic Restructuring — through the Constitution.”

The presidential aide added that “prisons” – now known as “correctional services” – has also now moved from the Exclusive Legislative List, to the Concurrent List, meaning that states now have the power to establish Correctional and Custodial facilities, and State Assemblies have the power to legislate on such.