Essential Ndubuisi
House of Representatives Committee on Power, yesterday, chided the Minister of Power, Abubarkar Aliyu for coming to read speeches to them whereas they needed answers and solutions to the current blackout in Nigeria.
The lawmakers had invited the Minister to explain the current situation to them.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Magaji Aliyu had in his opening remarks at the committee told the Minister that Nigerians were worried as the unhealthy situation development had affected businesses.
He said: “It may be recalled that Nigerians whom we represent experience one of the worst moment of electricity supply across the country. This development has caused variety of problems affecting peoples’ welfare which makes social living condition very uncomfortable.
“It has caused collapse of small businesses whose operations depend on stable electricity supply. The situation has also aggravated increased process in commodities and services especially those that require electricity supply.
“The overheated socio-economic environment due to very poor electricity supply attracted huge public outcry for immediate solutions, especially given the contractual nature of provision of power and energy services in the post privatization era by the Nigerian Power Supply Industry.
“Against this background and acting as peoples’ representatives, this interactive session is organized to request the Hon. Minister to among others: Explain the remote and immediate causes of the current deplorable power supply across the country; Explain the technical, operational and administrative measures taken by the Ministry to address the challenges and its devastating consequences against life, welfare and economy; and Suggest in your highlight the areas which the House of Representatives or indeed the National Assembly can provide legislative support to overcome the challenges apparently disturbing all Nigerians”.
Responding, the Minister represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Nebolisa Anako read a long scripted epistle on the achievements of the ministry amongst others to which the lawmakers did not find relevant.
They said the speech had no bearing and direct answers to the current blackout in the country and therefore asked described the Minister’s speech as essay and tutorials.
