Controversial N1.28bn solar projects were captured in budget, argues TCN

As the controversy surrounding the payment of N1.28 billion for solar streetlight projects rages, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said on Friday that the projects were duly captured in the Federal Government-approved appropriation budget.

The company also said the projects were nominated by members of the House of Representatives and senators to serve vulnerable communities, stressing that TCN neither initiated nor requested the projects.

TCN denied that the projects were initiated by the company, adding that although its primary mandate is the transmission of bulk power, it has consistently undertaken nationwide sensitisation on safety, asset protection, and the dangers of vandalism and bush burning.

“Experience has shown that well-lit communities help boost public confidence, reduce vandalism and theft, and ultimately safeguard the integrity of the national grid,” the company said.

It, however, denied that it was part of the project initiation, maintaining instead that the projects were included by the National Assembly.

“TCN did not initiate or request for these projects. They were included in TCN’s capital projects by the National Assembly, with the company designated as the implementing agency by the relevant authorities, in line with established government practice,” it explained.

The company insisted that the interventions in Jigawa, Kano and Kogi states were implemented by TCN at the instance of the National Assembly’s request to improve security in vulnerable communities, enhance visibility, support socio-economic activity in beneficiary areas, and contribute to the protection of national power infrastructure.

“While TCN’s core statutory mandate remains bulk power transmission, the company is empowered to execute constituency and other federal government projects when duly assigned. These interventions should not be erroneously interpreted as a deviation from TCN’s primary responsibility as the transporter of bulk electricity nationwide.

“It is also worthy of note that, as a government agency, there is no provision in law prohibiting TCN from executing projects assigned to it by the National Assembly or other arms of government, provided due process is followed in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007,” it further explained.