Menu Close

National Grid Collapse: SERAP gives government ultimatum to probe missing N11trn electricity funds

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

*The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project urges President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Minister for Justice and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate how Nigerian Government has expended the funds since 1999

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

For alleged mismanagement of allocated funds, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given President Muhammadu Buhari seven days to order an investigation into how the authorities spent N11trillion dedicated to provision of regular power supply since the dawn of democratic governance in the country in 1999.

The organisation also urged President Buhari to direct Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate how the funds have been spent.

Nigeria’s power infrastructure

Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, said this in a letter dated March 19, 2022, and copied to Mr. Malami.

SERAP stated that an estimated N20trillion may be lost in the next decade, “given the rate of Government investment and funding in the power sector amidst dwindling fortune and recurrent revenue shortfalls.”

The group further said that anyone suspected to be “responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing public funds should be traced and fully recovered.”

SERAP also urges the President to “refer to the International Criminal Court all unimplemented reports of corruption in the electricity sector gathering dust on the shelves, and to arrest and surrender those named in the reports to the court for prosecution.”

The group’s letter is said to be in direct response to the recent collapse of the national power grid, with attendant blackouts in several parts of the country.

Generation capacity reportedly dropped to 2,000 megawatts with about 14 power plants shutting down in the process.

The organisation as well said in the letter that “Nigerians have for far too long been denied justice and the opportunity to get to the bottom of why they continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector–staying in darkness, but still made to pay crazy electricity bills.

“Investigating the allegations of missing N11 trillion electricity funds, prosecuting suspected perpetrators and recovering any missing public funds would end a culture of impunity.

“It would also address the persistent collapse of the electricity grid, and improve access to and affordability of electricity in the country.”

According to SERAP, “the situation will not improve unless you fulfil your campaign promises to probe corruption in the electricity sector, prosecute perpetrators, and recover any missing public funds.

“Corruption in the electricity sector and the lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds to support the operations of DISCOS have resulted in regular blackouts, electricity grid collapse, and unlawful hike in electricity tariffs.”

It stated: “Corruption in the electricity sector has also continued to disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors of the population, who cannot readily afford expensive generators in order to have a reliable power supply.

“Your government has constitutional and international obligations to ensure regular and uninterrupted supply of electricity, even in times of resource constraints.

“SERAP urges you to urgently implement documented reports of cases of corruption in the electricity sector, and ensure full accountability and restitution.”

The organisation noted: “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

The details of the missing N11trillion electricity funds are contained in its report titled, ‘From Darkness to Darkness: How Nigerians are paying the Price for Corruption in the Electricity Sector’, said SERAP.

It stated: “According to the report, the total estimated financial loss to Nigeria from corruption in the electricity sector starting from the return to democracy in 1999 to date is over N11trillion.

“This represents public funds, private equity and social investment (or divestments) in the power sector.”

Kindly Share This Story

Kindly share this story