Senate to Probe Power Sector Since 1999

The Senate has 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 ad-hoc committee chaired by Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno-North) has a mandate to look into the unbundling of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and to look at irregularities in the power sector.
It was mandated to conclude its investigation and report back to the Senate within four weeks.
This followed the adoption of a motion on “The disconnection of Maiduguri from the National Grid and General Power Degeneration in Nigeria” sponsored by Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume.
Other members of the committee include: senators Godswill Akpabio, Babajide Omoworare, Mohammed Hassan, Ali Wakili, Mao Ohuabunwa, Aliyu Magatakarda  Wamakko, Olusola Adeyeye and  Mohammed  Shaaba Lafiagi.

The red chamber also urged President Muhammadu  Buhari  to mandate  the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to immediately reconnect Maiduguri  to the national grid and also to complete the Mambilla Power Project to improve electricity supply.

Ndume, according to Nations expressed worry that Nigeria with a population of over 150 million produces only 4, 600 mega watts while South Africa with population of about 40 million people produces 40,000 mega watts.
He said that it is disheartening to note that Iran with 70,000people generates about 42,000 megawatts, while South Korea with about 35 million people generates about 60,000 mega watts of electricity.
He said,

“I buy diesel to run my generator 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 this to give the government support. For some years now, a lot of money has been spent but there is nothing to show for it.”

Senator Godswill Akpabio also lamented that many companies had shut down operation due to irregular power supply in the country.

He said, 

“In 2015, we are celebrating 4,000 megawatts, for me this is worrisome. We cannot have employment without power and Nigerians are complaining about the high cost and some localities which have not seen light for months are asked to pay high tariff.”

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, noted that the inadequate power supply in the country was a cause for concern.

He said, 

“We thought that with the Power Reform Act and the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, we will begin to see improvement with regard to power supply; unfortunately, it is not so.
“The Ad Hoc Committee that we set up should look at the activities of the Discos and what is preventing Nigerians from benefitting from the unbundling of the PHCN.”