The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has summoned three high-ranking government ministers to appear on Wednesday,seeking to address national issues on renewable energy adoption and sustainable economic growth.
The ministers scheduled to appear include Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Uche Nnaji,Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation; and Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.
The Committee chaired by the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency,Anambra State, Afam Ogene is investigating the utilisation of over $2bn investment and grants for the development of renewable energy sources in Nigeria from 2015 till date.
Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 and 6 November 2024, the investigative hearing follows the mandate given to the Committee on June 6, 2024, to investigate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies involved in investments, procurement, and receipt of grants for renewable energy sector development.
The Committee, led by Hon. Afam Ogene,who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, has launched an investigation into the utilization of over $2 billion in investments and grants aimed at advancing renewable energy in Nigeria between 2015 and the present.
Despite these substantial funds, the committee recently highlighted that power supply across the country has only worsened, raising concerns about the effectiveness and transparency in the sector’s funding.
At the commencement of an investigative hearing on Tuesday, none of the invited ministers appeared in person, opting instead to send representatives.
But,most of these representatives were instructed to return to their respective offices, with the committee expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of direct ministerial attendance.
Expressing his disappointment with the absence of the ministers, Hon. Victor Ogene, a Labour Party lawmaker, called on the concerned ministers and relevant government officials to ensure their presence before the committee on Wednesday unfailingly.
He reminded the representatives that the National Assembly holds the constitutional authority to summon public officials for investigations. Citing Section 81 (1) of the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he emphasized, “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 emphasized that the committee’s mandate includes the authority to “investigate the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry, or government department responsible for executing or administering funds appropriated, or intended to be appropriated, by the National Assembly.”
