5 Role of Law in the Energy Transitions in Africa …
175
States (desirably represented by their ministries or boards in charge
of electric power) should be co-opted into the membership of the
Governing Board of REA.
There could be situations where REA plans to electrify a rural community having proximity to the grid, while the State has made plans to
execute electrification projects for that rural community. In such situations, a compromise approach would be expedient.
140 The Federal
Government can reasonably embark on connecting rural areas to the
grid, but considerations should be had to various factors including population density, proximity to the grid, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of
the expansion project. Where there is no proximity to the grid, and the
connection would be unfeasible and/or cost-ineffective, it would be more
appropriate for the States to embark on the project. The States would
then have to decide between executing ‘state grid’ or off-grid RE projects
in such rural communities.
Nigeria could adopt Australia’s cooperative federalism experience to
suit her purposes. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG),
consisting of the Prime Minister, Premiers/Chief Ministers of the
States/Territories and the President of the Australian Local Government Association, is a high-level forum to address matters of national
significance that require a coordinated approach by the Commonwealth, State/Territory and Local Governments.
141 Its agenda focuses
on broad-ranging issues touching on the present and future well-being
of Australians,
142 including energy. COAG Energy Ministers, under the
aegis of the COAG Energy Council, meet to work together to ensure efficient energy supply throughout Australia.
143 The COAG Energy Council
140 The Federal Ministry of Power admitted in the RESIP document that off-grid electrification
and grid expansion projects in rural communities would be difficult to achieve without a
“coordinated” plan at the Federal, State and Local government levels. However, the use of the
word “coordinated” still creates an impression of a centralized rural electrification plan, whereby
although the States may have their say, the Federal Government still has its way. Rather than
a coordinated plan, a collaborative or cooperative plan would be a better presentation. See
generally: Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (n 75), 11–12.
141 Council of Australian Governments (COAG), www.coag.gov.au.
142 COAG decisions drive sectoral reforms through communiqués, statements of cooperation
and intergovernmental agreements. See generally COAG, www.coag.gov.au.
143 COAG Energy Council, Our Role, www.coagenergycouncil.gov.au/about-us/our-role.
175
States (desirably represented by their ministries or boards in charge
of electric power) should be co-opted into the membership of the
Governing Board of REA.
There could be situations where REA plans to electrify a rural community having proximity to the grid, while the State has made plans to
execute electrification projects for that rural community. In such situations, a compromise approach would be expedient.
140 The Federal
Government can reasonably embark on connecting rural areas to the
grid, but considerations should be had to various factors including population density, proximity to the grid, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of
the expansion project. Where there is no proximity to the grid, and the
connection would be unfeasible and/or cost-ineffective, it would be more
appropriate for the States to embark on the project. The States would
then have to decide between executing ‘state grid’ or off-grid RE projects
in such rural communities.
Nigeria could adopt Australia’s cooperative federalism experience to
suit her purposes. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG),
consisting of the Prime Minister, Premiers/Chief Ministers of the
States/Territories and the President of the Australian Local Government Association, is a high-level forum to address matters of national
significance that require a coordinated approach by the Commonwealth, State/Territory and Local Governments.
141 Its agenda focuses
on broad-ranging issues touching on the present and future well-being
of Australians,
142 including energy. COAG Energy Ministers, under the
aegis of the COAG Energy Council, meet to work together to ensure efficient energy supply throughout Australia.
143 The COAG Energy Council
140 The Federal Ministry of Power admitted in the RESIP document that off-grid electrification
and grid expansion projects in rural communities would be difficult to achieve without a
“coordinated” plan at the Federal, State and Local government levels. However, the use of the
word “coordinated” still creates an impression of a centralized rural electrification plan, whereby
although the States may have their say, the Federal Government still has its way. Rather than
a coordinated plan, a collaborative or cooperative plan would be a better presentation. See
generally: Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (n 75), 11–12.
141 Council of Australian Governments (COAG), www.coag.gov.au.
142 COAG decisions drive sectoral reforms through communiqués, statements of cooperation
and intergovernmental agreements. See generally COAG, www.coag.gov.au.
143 COAG Energy Council, Our Role, www.coagenergycouncil.gov.au/about-us/our-role.