To respond to inquiries concerning Nigeria’s investments in renewable energy, the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has called for top government representatives. Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Wale Edun, Minister of Finance; Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power; and Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Development, are among these officials.
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Victor Afam Ogene, the chairman of the House Committee, issued the summons during a two-day public investigation hearing held in the National Assembly. The Rural Electrification Agency, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd., the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, and the Energy Commission of Nigeria are among the other organizations and businesses invited to the hearing.
The Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd., United Bank for Africa, Union Bank, the Ministry of Mines and Blue Economy, and the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation have all been invited to testify before the committee.
Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House, stressed the significance of dismantling federal investments in the field of renewable energy. He pointed out that Nigeria has drawn millions of dollars to the industry since 2015, and the purpose of the hearing is to determine how the parliament can address issues facing the electricity sector.
Chairman Ogene explained that the purpose of the investigation hearing is to encourage accountability and openness rather than to conduct a witch hunt. He emphasized that any money received by private sector entities or Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must be used for the benefit of the public.
But the majority of the invited ministers and MDA heads did not show up for the hearing, thus a motion was made to call them to the committee’s meeting. A member seconded the motion, which was proposed by Hon. Joe Onuakalusi.
Chairman Ogene consequently decided that the officials who were summoned must show up before the House Committee on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 1:00 pm. Timipre Sylva, the minister of state for petroleum resources, had previously apprised the committee of his absence and committed to making an appearance on November 6.
The 10th National Assembly created the House Committee on Renewable Energy to encourage impartiality and openness in the field. Chairman Ogene gave stakeholders his word that the committee is dedicated to maintaining transparency and accountability in the field of renewable energy.
In order to address Nigeria’s power sector issues and advance the country’s shift to renewable energy, the investigation hearing is an important step. The committee seeks to guarantee the effectiveness and national benefit of investments in renewable energy by holding public servants responsible.
The called officials are scheduled to come before the committee on November 6th to give an update on Nigeria’s investments in renewable energy. ‶
