House Of Reps Summons Finance, Power Ministers Over Plan To Sell Power Plants

The House of Representatives has summoned the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Minister of Power over plan to sell five power plants belonging to the three tiers of government.

The summon was also extended to the director general of the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) and the managing directors of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

This was contained in letters addressed to the agencies on Sunday by the chairman, House Committee on Finance, James Faleke.

The power plants include Benin Generation Company Ltd, Calabar Generation Company Ltd, Geregu Generation Company Ltd, Olorunsogo Generation Company Ltd and Omotoso Generation Company Ltd. proposed by the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE).

The lawmakers said the process for the sale was unconstitutional.

Faleke further stated that it was also a disservice to the nation’s development and sharing equity among the three tiers of government.

“The House of Representatives has observed with grave concern the proposed sale of the five National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP),” a part of the letter read.

He said this was without due regard to constitutional principles and economic policy that informed the establishment of the power plants.

“Considering the critical role your agency is playing in the sustainable energy sector in the country, you are requested to stop all further processes regarding this transaction.

“You are to submit the following information for the committee’s determination of the way forward,” the letter read.

Mr Faleke said the committee was demanding from the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company a breakdown of the capacity and monthly income of all the power plants.

He added that full disclosure of all the power plants that had taken or paid agreements and electricity consumed and not consumed from inception should be included.