From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to prioritize the implementation of the Power Sector Recovery Programme, which provides a clear roadmap a sustainable power sector reform.
The House also mandated its Committees on Banking Regulations and Power, ,Rural Electrification , Housing and Habitat to probe alleged discrepancies , mismanagement and non-compliance with the terms and conditions of loans disbursed under the National Mass Metering Programme( NMMP)
Consequently, the House directed the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) to provide a detailed report on the implementation of the NMMP. It also charged the National Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC) to furnish the parliament with a comprehensive assessment of the performance of Distribution Companies ( DisCos) in metering customers and eliminating estimated billings.
These were sequel to the adoption of a motion by the member representing Idemili Federal Constituency, Uchenna Okonkwo calling for a probe of funds disbursed to licensed electricity distribution companies by the CBN under the NMMP.
Okonkwo, in his motion, explained that the NMMP was launched by the Federal Government through the apex bank to provide loans to DisCos to improve metering and eliminate estimated billing.
According to him, the aim of the NMMP was to reach six million households and businesses with metres before the end of 2021 as part of the power sector reforms. The lawmaker noted that this was to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency in the power sector.
Nevertheless, Okonkwo expressed concerns that “there have been reports of discrepancies, mismanagement, and non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the loans disbursed under the NMMP by some DisCos, leading to inefficiencies, underperformance, and failure to achieve the objectives of the NMMP.
“The lack of proper oversight, monitoring and evaluation of funds disbursed under the National Mass Metering Program by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which has created opportunities for corruption, diversion, and misappropriation of public resources.”