Grim Darkness: Cancel Power Privatization Agreement, Senate Tells FG

Related stories

As the US, UAE Close its Doors, FG Pledges Diplomatic Resolution

Retired Envoys: Without Ambassadors, Nothing 'll change By Abiola...

What NATO Countries Spend on Military, Health, and Education

Key Takeaways Currently, every NATO member spends less on their military...

Nigeria: Flying Blind In The Global Space

By Owei Lakemfa The United States, US, government of...

Is the world shutting its door on Nigeria?, By Dakuku Peterside

Visa restrictions are more than bureaucratic hurdles. They are...

[VIDEO] End of an Era!Tears as Buhari is Laid to Rest in Daura

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yElAG5mJUbA&pp=ygUYUHJlc2lkZW50IGJ1aGFyaSBidXJpZWQg By Abiola Olawale In a solemn moment, Nigeria has bid...

…’We may not have power for another ten years’ –Lawan

  • Senate Committee Set To Probe Into All Intervention Funds In Power Sector

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday asked the federal government to cancel the privatization process and agreement in the power sector as grim darkness continues to pervade the nation’s landscape, seven years after leaving the distribution and generation ends in the hands of private sector players.

Recall, the privatization process was carried out during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2013, with the government now overseeing only the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Following the epileptic power that the privatization has failed to address, the Senate warned that Nigeria as a country may not have power supply in the next ten years.

Speaking yesterday during discussions on a motion titled, “Power Sector Recovery Plan and the impact of COVID- 19 Pandemic, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan said that it is disheartening that with huge sums of money spent so far on the Power, results are not being realised.

Lawan stated that the committee would investigate trillions spent so far to revigorate the power sector without commensurate results.

He said, “We gave power to them (Power generation and distribution companies) and they still come to the public to ask for funds. I think it’s time for Nigeria to consider reversing the privatisation of the power sector or they should just cancel the entire privatisation process completely. If we leave it, we may not have power for another ten years.

“We expected efficiency and something better. DISCOS have no capacity to supply us power. We shouldn’t continue to give them money. They’re private businesses. We need to review this whole thing. Something is wrong.

“Our committee needs to investigate the trillions spent. That’s a lot of money. Try and find out what has happened so far. The government needs to look at this whole thing. Maybe the Government is not doing its own part. We need to find out. There is a lack of capital. We feel very bad. There is no electricity and the country is suffering.”

The Senate further asked the Federal Government to immediately suspend the planned electricity tariff increase due to take effect from July following the increased hardship occasioned by the Coronavirus, COVID- 19 pandemic.

It also called on the federal government, through the Ministry of Finance to include the Nigeria Electric Power Sector in the disbursement of proposed N1.7trillon Covid-19 intervention crisis fund.

The Senate has mandated the Senator Gabriel Suswam-led Senate Committee on power to investigate all Federal Government interventions in the power sector since the privatization of the sector to date with a view to ascertaining the adequacy of such interventions and their desired impact, and to report back within four weeks.

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
As the US, UAE Close its Doors, FG Pledges Diplomatic ResolutionWhat NATO Countries Spend on Military, Health, and EducationNigeria: Flying Blind In The Global SpaceIs the world shutting its door on Nigeria?, By Dakuku Peterside[VIDEO] End of an Era!Tears as Buhari is Laid to Rest in DauraEnd of an Era: Massive Security Presence in Katsina as Nigerians Prepare for Buhari’s FarewellFemi Adesina Counters Critics, Says Buhari Would 've Died Before Now if He Used local HospitalsTribute To The Late Former President, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR[PHOTOS]Buhari: Tinubu Arrives Katsina for State BurialBreaking! Buhari’s Remains Arrive in Nigeria as Political Elites Gather in Daura for BurialEnd of an Era!Buhari's Remains depart London for Nigeria for Full State BurialOba Adetona's Burial: Fierce Race for Next Awujale of Ijebuland CommencesBuhari had no property in the UK, says Femi AdesinaBuhari: FG declares Tuesday as Public Holiday Details as FG Declares Tuesday a Public Holiday to Honor Buhari
X whatsapp