The Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, and Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, are expected to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
The Committee, chaired by Afam Ogene, the representative for Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, is investigating the utilization of over $2 billion in investments and grants for the development of renewable energy sources in Nigeria from 2015 to the present.
Despite the huge investments and grants in the sector, the Committee argued last week that the country’s power supply has continued to worsen.
The investigative hearing, scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2024, follows a mandate issued to the Committee on June 6, 2024, to probe Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) involved in investments, procurement, and grants for renewable energy development.
At the start of the investigative hearing on Tuesday, none of the ministers appeared, sending representatives instead. Most of these representatives were asked to return to their offices.
Chairman Ogene expressed his disappointment with the ministers’ absence and urged them to attend on Wednesday. He reminded the representatives of the power vested in both chambers of the National Assembly to summon public officers for investigations.
Ogene referred to Section 81(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which grants the National Assembly the authority to investigate any matter within its legislative powers, including the handling of public funds.
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“Let me state this again: Section 81 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended) provides that ‘Each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has the power to make laws,” he stated.
When a director from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Felix Okonkwo, appeared on behalf of the minister, Ogene questioned whether Okonkwo had the authority to speak on the minister’s behalf. Okonkwo responded that he could take some responsibilities but not all.
Ogene instructed him to inform his principal to appear in person on Wednesday. Similarly, when Suleiman Abubakar, a deputy director from the Ministry of Science and Technology, stood in for the minister, Ogene ruled that he had no authority to represent the minister.
Also expected at the hearing are the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, representatives from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Union Bank of Nigeria, and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
The investigation is critical as it seeks to hold accountable those responsible for the vast investments and grants allocated to Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, which has yet to result in improved power supply.
