Senate yesterday inaugurated a committee to conduct comprehensive investigation into allegations of unwholesome practices in the power sector over the years.
The committee which is headed by Senator Abubakar Kyari (APC Borno North) is charged with the task of looking closely into the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) with a view to specifically identifying the problems.
Senate president, Bukola Saraki who inaugurated the committee, noted that the task before the committee was huge.
He lamented the continued absence of regular supply of electricity despite the country’s huge investments in the sector.
Kyari, in a remark, provided detailed explanations into the nature of the investigation expected to be carried out on the sector.
He said: “A close look at the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) calls for review of our policies in order to obtain optimum performances across the Board. The abysmal performance of the generation segment is no longer news in view of the current deteriorating power supply which hovers around 4,600MW for a population of over 170 million people, despite the huge resources committed into it. This, compared with our contemporaries is highly regrettable. No wonder so many companies have relocated from the shores of this nation, due to increasing cost of production.
“The issue of turn around maintenance, gas pipeline vandalisation, just a mention but a few are some of the teething problems bedeviling the sector. We must address it now in order to stem this destructive tide. The Committee will beam its searchlight in this direction to put things in proper perspectives.
“Having realised that the Transmission Segment is the major linkage between the generation and distribution fronts, increasing our capacity in this direction is also very necessary, since power produced must be utilised immediately. Deteriorating infrastructures in this segment must be addressed forthwith. The Committee attaches great importance to this and would work assiduously in ensuring that all these leakages or slippages in this area are brought to the front burner and dealth with.
“It is in line with this objective that 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 achievement recorded. “
