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 TCN to provide continuous and uninterrupted
power supply to all parts of the country.
Ndume had expressed concern that Nigeria, with
a population of over 150m, produced only 4,600
megawatts, while South Africa with population of
about 40m people produced 40,000 megawatts.
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.
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