House summons ministers, others for $2b renewable energy probe
06 November 2024 |
7:38 am
The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has directed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning
Queries health minister over concession agreements, PPPs
The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has directed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu to appear before it today to discuss the utilisation of $2 billion in investments and grants for renewable energy development in the country since 2015.
The committee, led by Afam Ogene (Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra), is probing the use of these funds because, despite substantial investments and grants, the nation’s power supply continued to worsen.
The investigative hearing, scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2024, was mandated by the House on June 6, 2024, to examine the roles of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in renewable energy investments, procurement and grant management.
At the opening of the hearing, yesterday, none of the invited ministers appeared in person; instead, they sent representatives, who were sent back to their offices by the committee.
Expressing disappointment, Ogene urged the ministers and other officials to appear before the committee without fail today. He reminded attendees that the National Assembly had the authority to summon public officials for investigation.
“Section 81 (1) of the Constitution provides that each house of the National Assembly has the power to direct investigation into any matter within its legislative purview,” he said.
At the hearing’s commencement, Ogene called on the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, but a director in the ministry, Felix Okonkwo, appeared on his behalf. When asked if he had full authority to speak for the minister, Okonkwo responded, “I can take some responsibilities but not all.”
Dissatisfied, Ogene instructed Okonkwo to inform the minister to appear personally today.
“This is not meant to witch-hunt anyone. A situation where invitations are sent multiple times, yet heads of MDAs still fail to appear, is unacceptable,” he said.
The same issue arose when Deputy Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Suleiman Abubakar, attempted to stand in for the minister. When asked if he was authorised, he responded that his directorate had mandated him to attend.
Ogene rejected this, stating, “You have no authority to represent the minister. We wrote to the minister, not a directorate.” Other entities expected at today’s hearing include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation; Niger Delta Power Holding Company; and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Public Assets and Special Duties directed the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, to submit documents related to Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), concession agreements and leases.
The committee asked for proof of advertisements for PPPs and concessions, expressions of interest on leases, and records of achievements from the ministry.
The committee also examined BioVaccines Nigeria Limited, a joint venture between the Federal Government and May & Baker formed in 2007, and other partnerships involving the ministry.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Dabo Haruna, issued the directive during an investigative hearing in Abuja. Committee Chairman, Ademorin Kuye, who joined the hearing later, instructed the minister to provide documentation supporting the ministry’s N10 billion equity contribution, along with lease agreements related to land given to May & Baker in Lagos.
The minister was also asked to present documents regarding the transfer of shares to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). In response, Pate requested additional time to compile the requested documents.
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