The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy, led by Afam Ogene of Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, has summoned several ministers to clarify the alleged mismanagement of over $2 billion allocated to Nigeria’s renewable energy sector since 2015.
This investigation, scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2024, follows the committee’s June 6, 2024, mandate to probe government participation in renewable energy, focusing on funding allocations, procurement processes, and grant utilization across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Key officials summoned to explain the sector’s poor performance include the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
Despite the importance of the probe, these ministers were notably absent from the initial session on Tuesday, sending representatives instead, most of whom were dismissed by the committee.
Expressing frustration with the ministers’ absence, Ogene stressed the necessity of their direct testimonies, underscoring the constitutional authority behind the committee’s investigations.
Citing Section 81 (1) of Nigeria’s amended Constitution, Ogene stated, “Each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has the power to make laws.” He further highlighted that this authority extends to scrutinizing “the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry, or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”
During Tuesday’s proceedings, a representative for the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Director Felix Okonkwo, appeared on behalf of Minister Bagudu.
When questioned about his authority to fully represent the minister, Okonkwo admitted, “I can take some responsibilities but not all.” Dissatisfied, Ogene insisted that Bagudu appear in person, directing Okonkwo to inform his superior. “Tell your minister to appear before this committee on Wednesday. It is not meant to witch-hunt anybody. A situation where invitations are sent about three times to heads of MDAs and they would still not appear to make their presentations is not acceptable.”
Similarly, Suleiman Abubakar, a Deputy Director from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, attended on behalf of Minister Nnaji. However, Ogene dismissed Abubakar’s authority to speak for the minister, stating, “You have no locus to stand in for the Minister. He should appear in person on Wednesday. We wrote to the Minister, not a directorate.”
The committee has also summoned additional officials to appear on Wednesday, including the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; representatives from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation; Union Bank of Nigeria; and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
The primary objective of the committee’s inquiry is to understand why Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, despite substantial funding and foreign grants, has struggled to enhance the country’s power supply.
As Ogene and the committee continue their investigation, they are determined to hold officials accountable for the effective use of allocated resources in line with national interests.