Dogara: The more we spend on power sector, the more darkness we attract
Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, has queried why the country has spent huge funds on the power sector without getting the desired results.
He said the sum of N2.74 trillion was spent on the sector between 1999 and 2015, yet the nation is still inundated by an epileptic power supply.
Speaking at a two-day stakeholders interactive workshop on the Nigerian power sector on Tuesday, Dogara lamented that the sector depreciated as more funds were pumped in.
He said there is a need for all stakeholders to address the challenges facing the sector.
“Perhaps the most important question is what happened to the N2.74 trillion spent on the sector from 1999-2015? Why is it that the more we spend on the power sector, the more darkness we attract?” he asked.
“These challenges run across the entire power value chain of generation, transmission and distribution. The myriad issues are apparently exacerbated by inadequate funding, poor energy mix, fuel supply issues, flawed regulatory framework, commercial issues among others.
“There is therefore a need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address these myriad problems.
“The diagnosis include but not limited to a critical analysis of the extant legislation and regulatory framework guiding the Nigerian power sector to determine if there is a need for amendments or enactment of new laws that will galvanise the sector to deliver the required results.”
Suddenly Saraki and Dogara have found their voices, quite unusual for this pair to be vocal on these issues in recent past. ‘Hope it is not the case of “when the cat is away…..”.
l am in total support of Senate President speech at the seminar. He really spoke my mind. The revocation of the sales of PHCH shld be a prority if there will be any hope in solving our Power problem. The present companies are all cronies of the govt in power at the time of the sales. None of them have no record of been in power business prior to grabbing the PHCH. If we should remember, Prof Bath Nnaji raised this issue, and they ganged up against him. The present Minister, cannot achieve nothing, because he has turned to been the PRO of these companies, instead of doing his duty as a Regulator. It is highly unlike him, but l think he has met the hawks that cornered the PHCH and cannot confront them. Also, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, was on point. The more money we spent into Power sectors, the more darkness we will get unless the present mafias are dislodged. They never liked Prof. Barth Nnaji because he know more than them.
In conclusion, please the National Assembly should move fast in any way possible to ensure that the sales are revoked and competent hands/companies are engaged. l don’think the issue of power should be Apc affair, it must be all inclusive. Prof Barth Nnaji is still alive, and l think he will not turn his back to his beloved country, irrespective of what the previous govt did to him. He can be engaged on consultant basis.
Thanks