The
Senate on Thursday set up a 13-member ad-hoc committee to carry out a comprehensive
investigation into the management of funds so far appropriated for the power
sector since 1999. The
committee’s work will cover the funding of the power sector under former
presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations.
The Committee,
headed by Senator Abubakar Kyari, was also given the task to probe the
unbundling of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria by the Federal
Government.
The Upper
Chamber took the decision while passing a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader,
Ali Ndume, seeking the immediate reconnection of some parts of Borno State back
to the National grid in view of the challenges the blackout was having on his
constituents.
The senate urged
the federal government to complete the Mambilla Power Project with the aim of
improving the state of electricity supply in the country.
It also called
on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Transmission Company Of Nigeria to
immediately reconnect Maiduguri back to the national grid.
It also directed
the committee to conclude its investigations and report to the Chamber within
two weeks.
The Senators,
while contributing to the debate, also condemned in strong terms, the inability
of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to provide continuous and uninterrupted power supply to all parts of
the country.
He observed that
the disconnection of Maiduguri in Borno State from the national grid, as well
as the degeneration of power supply across the country, had affected the
economic activities because of the collapse of several industries.
Ndume also
expressed concern that with an installed power generation potential of about
5,000 megawatts, the output distributed today was about 1,950 megawatts of
energy.
He further said
it was disheartening to note that Iran with 70,000 people generates about
42,000 megawatts, while South Korea with about 35 million people generates about
60,000 megawatts of electricity.
Ndume, who said
that Maiduguri and its environs had been completely disconnected since the
emergence of insurgency, complained that the situation has grounded economic
activities in the State.
He said, “I buy
diesel to run my generator set and that costs me N10,000 per day. No country
can be said to be near development when there is no power.
“This Senate
needs to investigate to give the government support. For years now, a lot of
money has been spent but there is nothing to show for it.”
Senator Danjuma
Goje, in his contribution, said the motion was apt in view of the untold
suffering the lack of power supply had caused Nigerians.
He said, “The
problem of power was on before 1999, and I am surprised that up till today the
power sector is grappling with sufficient power supply.
“This motion is
apt because there is a need to find out what happened, in spite of the
unbundling and huge amount so far spent.”
Senator Godswill
Akpabio lamented that many companies had shut down operation due to irregular
power supply in the country.
Senate
President, Bukola Saraki, noted that the inadequate power supply in the country
was a cause for concern, as it had affected the economic growth of the nation.
He observed that
the lack of power supply had plunged the country in further hardship, besides
corruption.
He said, “We
thought that with the Power Reform Act and unbundling of the Power Holding
Company of Nigeria, we will begin to see a relief with regard to power supply;
unfortunately, it is not so.
“The Ad Hoc
Committee should look at the activities of the Discos and what is preventing
Nigerians from benefitting from the unbundling of the PHCN.”
The senate
subsequently adjourned till September 29.
No comments:
Post a Comment