Seeks repositioning of aviation
sector
The Senate yesterday constituted
a 12-man committee to probe the management of funds allocated to the power
sector since 1999 by the administrations of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and
Goodluck Jonathan.
The committee chaired by Senator
Abubakar Kyari has four weeks to conclude its assignment.
The decision to probe the
management of power sector allocations since 1999 was the fallout of a motion
by the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, on the disconnection of Maiduguri from
national power grid.
The Senate therefore urged
President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to immediately reconnect Maiduguri to the
national grid.
It also urged the federal
government to complete the Mambilla power project with a view to improving electricity
supply in the country.
The Senate further condemned the
inability of TCN to provide continuous and uninterrupted power supply to all
parts of the country.
Ndume expressed concern that
Nigeria, with the population of over 150 million, boasts of producing
ridiculous 4, 600 mega watts whereas South Africa with the population of 52
million produces as many as 40,000 mega watts.
He also observed that the
disconnection from the national grid and continued erratic power supply across
the country had affected economic activities and resulted in the collapse of
several industries.
The senator further expressed
concern that with an installed power generation potential of about 5,000 mega
watts, the output being distributed at present is about 1,950 megawatts of
energy.
Furthermore, he said it was
disheartening that Nigeria continues to grope in darkness while Iran with only
70 million population generates about 42,000 megawatts and South Korea with
about 35 million population generates about 60,000 mega watts of electricity.
Speaking on the motion, Senator
Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) said the motion was apt as he lamented the untold
hardship that poor power supply had caused Nigerians.
``The problem of power was on
before 1999 and I am surprised that up till today, the power sector is still
grappling with insufficient power supply. This motion is apt because there is a
need to find out what happened in spite of the unbundling and huge amount spent
so far,’’ he said.
In his contribution, Senator
Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West), lamented how many companies had been
shut down as a result of irregular power supply.
He regretted that financial
contributions by some states in the South for improved power supply had made no
difference.
``In 2015, we are celebrating
4,000 mega watts; for me, this is worrisome. We cannot have employment without
power, and Nigerians are complaining about high cost and some localities
which have not seen electric power for months are asked to pay high tariff,’’
he said.
In his remark, Senate President
Bukola Saraki said inadequate power supply in the country called for concern in
view of the adverse effects it has had on the nation’s economic growth.
According to him, besides
corruption, poor power supply is another problem that has impeded the country’s
growth.
“We thought that with the Power
Reform Act and unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), we
would begin to see a relief with regard to power supply, unfortunately, it is
not so.
“The adhoc committee we will set
up should look at the activities of the Discos and what is preventing Nigerians
from benefitting from the unbundling of the PHCN,’’ he said.
Also yesterday, the Senate set up
an ad -hoc committee to examine the aviation sector and come up with strategies
for the repositioning the industry.
The National Assembly took the
decision following a motion sponsored by the Deputy Leader, Senator Bala Ibn
Na’Allah, on “the worrisome and unstable position of Nigeria aviation industry.”
Na’Allah who said the growth and
development of domestic airlines in the country had remained stagnant, called
for total review of extant laws guiding the operations of domestic and
international airlines in Nigeria.
He observed that a number of
domestic airlines, including Sosoliso, Concord, Sloak, Okada, Chanchangi, had
gone into extinction a few years after take-off.
Meanwhile, the Senate had
adjourned plenary till September 29 in observance of its annual six weeks’
break.
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