The Sokoto State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Resources, Alhaji Sanusi Danfulani, to appear before it on Tuesday, August 5, over his refusal to honour an oversight invitation from the House Committee on Science and Technology.
Danfulani, along with key ministry officials, failed to attend an oversight visit to the Ministry last Thursday a move that lawmakers have slammed as disrespectful and negligent.
Committee Chairman, Alhaji Awaisu Aliyu, described the no-show as a direct affront to the legislature’s authority.
“The ministry was duly informed, but the commissioner and his team neither appeared nor sent any explanation,” Aliyu said. “This undermines our constitutional mandate to provide checks and balances. He must appear to explain or face sanctions.”
The oversight visit was intended to inspect the controversial Independent Power Project (IPP) managed by the ministry. The project, initiated in 2008, has come under fire for years of delays and cost escalations without results.
Local residents have voiced growing frustration. Alhaji Abubakar Illiya described the IPP as a “wasteful venture” that has consumed billions without impact. “This money could have transformed our schools and farms,” he said.
Another resident, Malam Musa Bello, acknowledged the project’s original promise but lamented its execution. “Every administration keeps shifting deadlines while nothing gets done. It’s now a financial sinkhole,” he warned.
Originally awarded to US-based Vulcan Capital Energy at N3.8 billion, the 38-megawatt project was expected to be completed within six months. However, deadlines have been missed repeatedly — stretching from 2009 to as late as 2019. Despite receiving an additional N1.7 billion in 2020 and another N950 million this year, the project remains incomplete.
Lawmakers now say the Assembly will not tolerate further delays or evasions. The commissioner must provide answers or face legislative consequences.
