The Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji; and Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, are among the top officials expected to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy this Wednesday.
The committee, led by Afam Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, is examining the allocation of over $2 billion in investments and grants intended for renewable energy development in Nigeria since 2015. Despite these substantial funds, Nigeria’s power supply has continued to decline, a concern the committee highlighted last week.
The two-day investigative hearing, scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2024, was initiated on June 6 when the committee was mandated to investigate the renewable energy sector, including ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) involved in procurement and investment activities related to renewable energy.
At Tuesday’s hearing, none of the invited ministers appeared, instead opting to send representatives. These representatives were largely dismissed by the committee and told to return with their principals. Expressing disappointment, Ogene insisted that the ministers and relevant officials must appear in person on Wednesday.
Ogene emphasized the legislative authority to summon public officers, citing Section 81(1) of the Nigerian Constitution. “Each House of the National Assembly shall have power… to direct an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has the power to make laws,” he said. This includes scrutiny of any official responsible for the management of funds appropriated by the National Assembly.
When Felix Okonkwo, a director in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, attempted to represent Minister Atiku Bagudu, Ogene challenged his authority, urging him to relay the message that the minister must appear in person. “Tell your minister to appear before this committee on Wednesday. It is not meant to witch-hunt anybody. A situation where invitations are sent about three times to heads of MDAs and they still don’t appear to make their presentations is not acceptable,” he stated.
Similarly, Suleiman Abubakar, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology, was instructed to inform Minister Uche Nnaji to attend the session personally. “You have no locus to stand in for the Minister. We wrote to the Minister, not a directorate,” Ogene ruled.
Other officials expected to appear on Wednesday include the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, representatives from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Union Bank of Nigeria, and Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
This high-stakes hearing seeks to address the apparent discrepancies in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector and assess how funds have been managed to ensure accountability in the nation’s energy development.
Source: Punch