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BUDGET 2020: Is it right for govt to allocate N600m to privatised power firms? Senate queries

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The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday questioned why the Federal Ministry of Power allocated N600 million to Distribution Companies (Discos).

The Senate argued, that Discos were privatised power distribution companies, and that allocating such money to them was less than acceptable.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam expressed the dissatisfaction during the 2020 budget defence of Ministry of Power.

“The money you are spending to upgrade the ‘Discos’ ought not to come from ministry because they have been privatized,” he said.

On why the fund was allocated to Discos, the permanent secretary of Ministry of Power, Louis Edozien, explained that the money was part of the agreement, the Power Ministry had with them.

The Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, who spoke earlier, said that the ministry would give the Mambila Power Project special attention and ensure all power projects across the country would be sped up to ensure that Nigerians enjoy quality power supply in 2020.

“The problem of Power supply to Nigerians is endemic and has continued to persist despite several measures especially by the present administration to mitigate the situation.

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“It is a Nigerian problem. It affects all of us. There is no need for blame games. No need to look back. All Nigerians irrespective of their spheres of responsibility must contribute their quota in tackling all issues affecting the Sector,” the minister said.

He then pleaded with the lawmakers to give the ministry the needed cooperation and support to tackle the difficult issues facing the power sector.

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