The Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister, Uche Nnaji; and Budget and Economic Planning Minister, Atiku Bagudu, are among the high-profile government officials expected to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy on Wednesday.
The Committee, chaired by the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra State, Afam Ogene, is investigating the utilisation of over $2 billion investment and grants for the development of renewable energy sources in Nigeria from 2015 till date, according to The Punch.
The committee argued last week that despite the huge grants and investment in the sector, the power supply in the country has continued to worsen.
Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, November 5 and 6, 2024, the investigative hearing follows the mandate given to the Committee on June 6, 2024, to investigate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies involved in investments, procurement, and receipt of grants for renewable energy sector development.
At the commencement of the investigative hearing on Tuesday, none of the ministers showed up, preferring to send representatives, most of whom were asked to return to their various offices.
Expressing his disappointment at the turnout, Ogene urged the concerned ministers and other government officials to appear before the Committee unfailingly on Wednesday.
The Labour Party lawmaker reminded representatives of invited government officials that the power to summon public officers for investigation is vested in both chambers of the National Assembly.
He said, “Let me state this again: Section 81 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended) provides that ‘Each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has the power to make laws.”
He added that this power includes probing into “the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”