The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has directed the Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji; and Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, to appear before it on Wednesday to discuss the utilization of $2 billion in investments and grants for renewable energy development in Nigeria since 2015.
The Committee, led by Hon. Afam Ogene (Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra State), is probing the use of these funds, as despite substantial investments and grants, the nation’s power supply has reportedly 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 on Tuesday, none of the invited Ministers appeared in person; instead, they sent representatives, who were promptly asked to return to their offices by the Committee.
Expressing his disappointment, Ogene urged the Ministers and other officials to appear before the Committee without fail on Wednesday. He reminded attendees that the National Assembly has the authority to summon public officers for investigations.
“Section 81 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that each House of the National Assembly has the power to direct an investigation into any matter within its legislative purview,” he said, adding that this includes examining the management of funds appropriated by the National Assembly.
At the hearing’s commencement, Ogene called on the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to present. However, a Director in the Ministry, Felix Okonkwo, appeared on the Minister’s 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 on Wednesday. “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 authorized, 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 Wednesday’s hearing include the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation; Union Bank of Nigeria; Niger Delta Power Holding Company; and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.
