The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has launched a critical investigative hearing, questioning top Nigerian ministers regarding the suspected mismanagement of over $2 billion allocated for renewable energy initiatives.
Beginning on Tuesday and set to continue through Wednesday, the hearing centers on how substantial investments and grants earmarked since 2015 for Nigeria’s renewable energy growth have been utilized.
Key ministers expected to face the committee include Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation; and Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.
The committee, led by Afam Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, aims to scrutinize the transparency and impact of fund distribution within these ministries and associated agencies.
This inquiry was first ordered by the House on June 6, 2024, following mounting concerns about deteriorating power supply, despite the hefty financial support provided for renewable energy.
Lawmakers voiced frustration over the stark gap between the scale of investments and visible improvements in energy access, sparking questions of possible mismanagement or fund misallocation.
“The funds and grants dedicated to advancing renewable energy should result in greater energy access for all Nigerians,” Ogene emphasized last week. “Yet, progress remains minimal, with many areas still plagued by persistent power shortages.”
At the initial hearing session on Tuesday, none of the invited ministers attended in person, choosing instead to send representatives, most of whom were dismissed by the committee and told to relay the requirement for direct ministerial presence on Wednesday.
Expressing disappointment, Committee Chairman Ogene underscored that ministers and relevant officials must attend in person. He reminded the representatives that the National Assembly has constitutional power to summon public officials for inquiries.
“Section 81(1) of the Nigerian Constitution authorizes each House of the National Assembly to investigate any matters within its legislative competence, as detailed in the official Gazette,” he explained. He added that this power extends to examining “the actions of any person, authority, ministry, or department responsible for funds approved by the National Assembly.”
When Ogene called on the Budget and Economic Planning Ministry to present its case, only a director, Felix Okonkwo, appeared on behalf of the minister. Asked if he had the authority to fully represent the minister, Okonkwo admitted, “I can assume some responsibilities but not all.” Ogene, dissatisfied with this, directed him to inform the minister of the need to appear personally on Wednesday. “Tell your minister to appear before this committee on Wednesday. This is not a witch-hunt, but we cannot allow MDA heads to repeatedly ignore invitations,” Ogene asserted.
Similarly, when Deputy Director Suleiman Abubakar from the Ministry of Science and Technology attempted to stand in, Ogene responded, “You have no authority to stand in for the Minister. We addressed our invitation directly to the Minister.”
The committee expects the following officials to appear on Wednesday: the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; representatives from the Office of the Accountant General; Union Bank of Nigeria; and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
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