Power Ministry must be given free will to drive power reforms — Reps

By Uthman Salami

The House of Representatives has clamoured for more freedom for the Ministry of Power if the federal government really desires meaningful change in the sector.

This advice was given by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Magaji Aliyu, at the third annual general meeting of the Association of Rural Electrification Contractors of Nigeria (ARECON).

Aliyu also said that relocation of certain parastatals and agencies under the Ministry of Power to other MDAs is a major challenge causing confusion in the sector.

According to him, “Today, you will hear that a particular part of the ministry of power has been shifted to another organisation, which I believe is an aberration of the concept.

“For example, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company, there is a tug of war. Where does the organisation belong? Is it in power or is it in the Ministry of Finance? There is an issue of Hydro-Power Development Authority. Is it going to the presidency, or is this going to power?”

He stressed that there were political machinations not to allow power to grow in Nigeria.

He further stated that there were multiple problems in the sector, including Nigerians paying for power they did not consume, a phenomenon which he says needs change.

He also debunked allegations that lawmakers interfere in the procurement process in contract awards to contractors. The lawmaker said that the allegations were untrue.