Gbajabiamila Decries Slow Pace of Growth in Power Sector

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday decried what he called ‘little progress’ being made in the power sector despite huge investments, saying the current state of electricity supply in the country is apparently hampering industrialisation and national development. Gbajabiamila stated this at the opening of the investigative hearing on the activities of the power sector by the House Ad-hoc Committee on Power Sector. In May this year, the House had resolved to review extant laws and regulations guiding the power sector reform, which led to the inauguration of an ad-hoc committee on power sector reforms by the Speaker. Gbajabiamila said it is becoming increasingly worrisome that successive governments have been unable to fix the issue of power in the country, and that it is dampening the hopes of landmark industrialisation and national development. He said the investigative hearing is the premise upon which the House of Representatives shall amass adequate information to guide them in causing the required and appropriate legislative intervention in the power sector. The Speaker said: “The last time some of you were here to witness the inauguration of this ad hoc committee, we reminded you that at the outset of the ninth House of Representatives, we proposed a legislative agenda that sought to initiate a comprehensive review of all legislation relating to the power sector. Today’s activity is an attempt to walk the talk. ''I am glad that the ad-hoc committee led by the Leader of the House of Representatives has not rested on its oars since its inauguration, culminating in today’s event. It is my utmost belief that they are up to speed in their plan of activities, and may turn in a report within the stipulated time frame. I therefore, wish to appreciate members of the ad hoc committee and make bold to claim that the membership selection has been vindicated by your performances thus far.'' The Leader of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, in his remarks, said they have been made to understand that the greatest issues bedeviling the sector after the unbundling of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) is the inability to effectively transmit and distribute electricity supply across the country. According to him, “The sector is also confronted with the issue of liquidity; with the gas suppliers claiming billions of naira being owed them. Another major challenge is the fact that the tariffs are not cost reflective. While we appreciate the efforts of institutions created from the unbundling exercise, particularly the Gencos, which now have the capacity to generate over 10, 000 megawatts, it is in fact becoming clearer from a layman’s perspective that the Discos and transmission agents must do more if we anticipate any form of improved electricity supply in the country.”