Friday 28 August 2015

Senate begins power sector probe


The Senate on Friday commenced investigation into alleged unwholesome practices in the power sector.


The upper chamber inaugurated ad-hoc panel to conduct comprehensive probe of allegations of questionable practices in the sector.


The panel headed by Senator Abubakar Kyari, (Borno North) is charged with the task of looking into the entire power value chain including generation, transmission and distribution with a view to identifying what the problems in the sector are.


Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who inaugurated the committee, said the task before the committee is huge


Saraki frowned at the continued irregular power supply in the country despite the huge investments in the sector.


Kyari, in his remarks, detailed the nature of the investigation his committee is saddled with.


He said: “A close look at the entire power value chain (generation, transmission and distribution) calls for review of our policies in order to obtain optimum performances across the board.


“The abysmal performance of the generation segment is no longer news in view of the current deteriorating power supply which hovers around 4,600MW for a population of over 170million people, despite the huge resources committed into it.


“This compared with our contemporaries is highly regrettable. No wonder so many companies have relocated from the shores of this nation, due to increasing cost of production.


“The turnaround maintenance, gas pipeline and vandalisation, just to mention a few are some of the teething problems bedeviling the sector.


“We must address it now in order to stem this destructive tide. The committee will beam its searchlight in this direction to put things in proper perspectives. ”


Kyari added: “Having realised that the transmission segment is the major linkage between the generation and distribution fronts, increasing our capacity in this direction is also very necessary, since power produced must be utilised immediately.


“Deteriorating infrastructures in this segment must be addressed forthwith. The committee attaches great importance to this and would work assiduously in ensuring that all these leakages or slippages in this area are brought to the front burner and dealt with. “


 


 





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