Senate set to probe power sector

In from Enite Banjamin …
The Senate on Friday seemed set to carry out a comprehensive probe into the nation’s power sector to establish reasons Nigerians can’t get steady electricity power supply in spite of the huge resources that have been expended in that sector.
Chairman, Senate Adhoc Committee on Power, Senator Abubakar Kyari has stated that his 14-member Committee would embark on a fact finding mission to review extant policies in the nation’s entire power value chain to obtain optimum performance.
Kyari who spoke during the inauguration of the committee, said, “the committee would be seeking explanations from the Management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on the terms of their management contract with the Federal Government as it relates to assets inherited, funds injected into the company so far and the achievements recorded.”
He decried a practice where some distribution companies (Discos) reject power load allocations in order to reduce cost. He further said that the metering system of Discos which places emphasis on estimated billing and imposition of fixed charges for services not rendered requires urgent and fundamental review.
Kyari said stakeholders in the sector from 1999 till date would be asked to provide information in order to achieve the committee’s laudable objectives.
He added that the committee would beam its searchlight on the unbundling of the power sector facilitated by the Bureau of Public Enterprises.
While noting that the committee is not out to witch-hunt any individual or organization, he added: “There have been a lot of unwholesome practices by some of these companies. The Committee has to get down to the root of these problems especially where provisions have been made in the past, through appropriation, prior to privatization and funds were not properly utilized. We must therefore find out what brought us to this sorry state.”

Read also: Senate targets Obj, GEJ in power sector probe

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, while inaugurating the Committee, said the economic woes in the country can only be addressed when the power sector is fully made functional.
He said the immediate concern of the 8th Senate is to use every legislative instrument at its disposal to ensure that “light replaces the darkness” in the country.
He said, “Our economy cannot be prosperous without us addressing the problems of the power sector. The power sector is a key driver of the economy. Whatever we do in trying to address the problems of the power sector is essential in trying to rebuilding economy. The power challenges that we have are real. They are serious and many”.

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