The Senate yesterday commissioned a panel to probe the management of funds allocated to the power sector since 1999.
The ad-hoc committee has a mandate to look into the unbundling of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
The 13-man ad-hoc committee also charged to take a look at irregularities in the power sector, is chaired by Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno North).
It was mandated to conclude its investigation and report back to the Senate within four weeks.
This followed the adoption of a motion on “The disconnection of Maiduguri from the National Grid and General Power Degeneration in Nigeria” sponsored by Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume.
Other members of the committee include: senators Godswill Akpabio, Babajide Omoworare, Mohammed Hassan, Ali Wakili, Mao Ohuabunwa, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Olusola Adeyeye and Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi.
The upper chamber urged President Muhammadu Buhari to mandate the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to immediately reconnect Maiduguri to the national grid.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to complete the Mambilla Power Project to improve electricity supply.
The upper chamber condemned the inability of TCN to provide continuous and uninterrupted power supply to all parts of the country.
Ndume expressed worry that Nigeria with a population of over 150 million produces only 4, 600 mega watts while South Africa with population of about 40 million people produces 40,000 mega watts.
He observed that the disconnection from the national grid and degeneration of power supply across the country had affected economic activities because of the collapse of several industries.
He expressed concern that with an installed power generation potential of about 5000 mega watts, the output distributed today was about 1,950 megawatts of energy.
Ndume said that it is disheartening to note that Iran with 70,000people generates about 42,000 megawatts, while South Korea with about 35 million people generates about 60,000 mega watts of electricity.
He lamented that Maiduguri and its environs had been completely disconnected since started its campaign.
He complained that the situation had grounded economic activities, adding: “ I buy diesel to run my generator set which costs me N10, 000 every day.”
“No country can be said to be near development when there is no power. This Senate needs to investigate to give the government needed support.
“For years now a lot of money has been spent but there is nothing to show for it.’’
Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki noted that besides corruption, lack of power supply had plunged the country into hardship.
He said: “ We thought that with the Power Reform Act and unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), we will begin to see a relief with regard to power supply; unfortunately, it is not so.
“The ad-hoc committee we will set up should look at the activities of the DISCOS and what is preventing Nigerians from benefiting from the unbundling of the PHCN.’’
Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje ( Gombe Central) said the motion was apt in view of the untold suffering the lack of power supply had caused Nigerians.
Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio ( Akwa Ibom North West) lamented that many companies had shut down due to irregular power supply.
Akpabio noted that in spite of the financial contribution by some states in the South to improve power supply, Nigerians were still grappling with lack of electricity supply.
He said,“In 2015 we are celebrating 4000 mega watts. For me, this is worrisome.
“ We cannot have employment without power and Nigerians are complaining about the high cost and some localities who have not seen light for months are asked to pay high tariff.’’
Akpabio said the 8th Senate should do all within its power to assist the Federal Government in tackling power supply.
The 6th House of Representatives attempted to investigate the billions of dollars spent on the power sector since 1999 and failed to achieve its purpose.
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