*The Federal lawmakers decry the abysmal failure of privatisation of the power sector, urging the National Council on Privatisation and Bureau of Public Enterprise to suspend the proposed concession indefinitely

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Citing issues of accountability and proper management of unsettled external loans, the Nigerian Senate has urged the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to suspend indefinitely, the proposed concession of the 700 megawatts Station in Niger State, pending the conclusion of an investigation by its committee on power.

It was learnt that the upper legislative chamber in the National Assembly (NASS), Abuja, FCT, is requesting the deferment of the planned concession after the Federal legislators debated a motion sponsored by Sen. Gabriel Suswam, Chairman, Senate Committee on Power.

The lawmaker explained it would be unacceptable to concession the power plant without ensuring accountability and proper management of unsettled external loans tied to the project, according to report.

Federal lawmakers, including the Senate President Ahmad Lawan, supported his stance, report stated.

The legislators emphasised the abysmal failure of the privatisation of the electricity sector.

The Senate, therefore, adopted two resolutions by mandating the Committee on Power to investigate the circumstances under which the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant is being concessioned, and urged the National Council on Privatisation,  Bureau of Public Enterprise to suspend indefinitely the proposed concession.

The lawmakers also approved the promissory note programme and bond issuance to settle outstanding claims and liabilities in the sum of N21billion to Yobe and Taraba states as refunds for the completion of road projects in their states.

However, the Senate stepped down the request from the Kebbi State Government to settle outstanding claims because the state government failed to appear before the committee to defend its claims in respect of the projects.

The Senate as well sent a fresh invitation to the state government to appear before its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.