Senate’s probe of power sector begins

The Senate will on Tuesday begin investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated to the power sector from the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 till date.
The investigation is to be the carried out by an Ad- Hoc Committee on Power set up by the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on August 28, 2015.
The committee is to be chaired by Senator Abubakar Kyari (APC Borno North).
The Clerk of the Senate Committee on Power, Ojabo Cletus, in a statement on Monday said the probe would be by way of investigative hearing/interactive session from and with various key stakeholders of the sectors from 1999 till date.
Saraki had at the inauguration of the committee charged it to conduct a comprehensive probe of allegations of questionable practices in the power sector.
He lamented the continued lack of regular supply of electricity despite the country’s huge investments in the sector.
He admonished the Committee members not to disappoint the Senate in the onerous task and by extension Nigerians.
Kyari promised the committee would carry out a thorough probe.
He said: “A close look at the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) calls for review of our policies in order for optimum performance across the board.
“The abysmal performance of the generation segment is no longer news in view of the deteriorating power supply, which hovers around 4,600mw for a population of over 170 million people.
“This is despite the huge resources committed into it.
“Compared with our contemporaries, this is highly regrettable.
“No wonder so many companies have relocated from the shores of this nation due to increasing cost of production.”