Reps investigate nationwide blackout, questions power minister – Nexus News
The House of Representatives, yesterday, commenced an investigation into the recent nationwide power cut, summoning the Ministry of Power to take measures that would immediately resolve the challenge.
Chairman, House Committee on Power, Magaji Da’u Aliyu, bewailed the unconcerned attitude of the ministry whenever there is a national emergency.
Minister for Power, Abubakar Aliyu, was summoned before the lawmakers to give reasons for the blackout.
Aliyu listed challenges facing the sector, including low gas supply, low hydro levels, high cost of gas, as well as disequilibrium between power generation, transmission and distribution.
The minister, who was represented by Permanent Secretary Nebolisa Anoka, stated that all measures were being put in place to solve the problem.
Reacting, however, the committee chairman said: “There is nothing to show in this presentation that you are trying to resolve the problems; it is mere speech and thesis.”
The chairman had previously explained that the interactive session was brought about by the fact that Nigerians were facing the worst energy crisis in recent times.
The committee ordered the minister to return on Friday with more visible evidence of planned interventions.
MEANWHILE, the Senate has revealed it will debate the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abia State, which voided the controversial Section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act.
This was due to a point of order raised by Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers), who called the attention of his associates to the court rule.
The section demands ministers, head of agencies and other political appointees to leave political office before participating in primaries, conventions and other electoral activities.
Read Also: Commission may penalize agencies not adopting minimum wage
However, the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, on Friday, voided the section, stating it was against provisions of the Constitution.
The judge particularly asked the attorney general to remove the said section.
Sekibo, while appealing Senate Order 10 and 11, stated that the electoral law originated from the National Assembly. Therefore, the parliament should be joined as a party in the lawsuit.
He, therefore, prayed that the issue be discussed during plenary today to prevent setting a bad precedent on laws made by the federal parliament.
In another development, the House disclosed that the defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries owe the Federal Government N3 trillion in crude oil sales and taxes, since 2021.
This was revealed by the House committee on recovery of debts managed by oil and gas companies, presided by Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
Also, the committee called on the NNPC, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministry of Finance and other agencies, with a view to getting information on recovery of the funds.
