To ensure full implementation of 2012 budget allocation to the sector
As part of its oversight function, the House Committee on Power has reaffirmed its commitment to commencing a thorough audit of ongoing projects in the power sector, to ensure full implementation of the 2012 budget and tackle abandoned projects in the sector.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhariale, revealed this during an oversight visit to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) distribution companies in Lagos.
According to Ikhariale, members of the committee are required by the constitution to critically examine the current state of the 2012 budget allocation executed in the power sector and to tackle the menace of abandoned projects.
?We know that there have been lots of controversies with regard to the level of implementation of the 2012 budget, especially in the area of capital projects,” he said.
?Our visit can be captioned as ?the Moment of Truth? because we are on a fact finding mission to all the distribution companies of PHCN in the country. We are not here to witch-hunt anybody, but we are obliged to carry out our constitutional responsibilities in terms of oversight visit.
?We have agreed during our previous visits that ongoing and abandoned projects should be given priority, in order to overcome the abandoned projects that are scattered across the country.?
Ikhariale said privatisation of the power sector was the only way forward, but stressed that due process must be followed.
?Privatisation of the sector is still on but it does not mean that government should hands off completely. The philosophy behind privatisation is to improve service delivery in terms of power generation, transmission and distribution. You would agree with me that in recent time there has been improvement in power supply in the country.”
