Reps promise financial autonomy for nuclear energy centres in Nigeria

The House of Representatives, says it is working on plans to ensure financial autonomy for managers of nuclear energy centres in the country.

The Chairman,  House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Victor Ogene said this at an investigative hearing on alleged diversion of hazard and high-risk allowances of nuclear managers in the country.
Ogene said that the centres included the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife.

He urged the personnel at the centres to avoid acts of sabotage that could result in adverse effect that might jeopardise the security of the nation.

He tasked them on diligent service delivery in spite of their grouses over non payment of the approved hazard and high-risk allowances.

The lawmaker said that the parliament was working toward ensuring that the complaints in the petition were permanently addressed.

“The committee found merit in the petition and has made some recommendations, part of which includes a directive to the Budget Office of the Federation, as the well as the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to restore the allowances under review.

“Also, direct the Budget Office of the Federation to grant both centres, financial autonomy by providing them with separate budget lines for effective and efficient discharge of their mandate.

“That the National Income Salaries and Wages Commission be queried because of its negative role in the matter,” he said.

Prof. John Akinbami, the Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said the challenges faced by the centres were enormous.