The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate MDAs associated with investments of foreign grants received for the renewable energy sector from 2015.
The House of Representatives has called for a comprehensive investigation of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the government associated with the investments and foreign grants received for the renewable energy sector from 2015 to date.
This resolution followed a motion by Rep. Jesse Okey Joe Onuakalusi (LP Lagos) on the “Need to Investigate Investments in Renewable Energy Sector and Foreign Grants received from 2015 till Date.”
Onuakalusi, in his debate highlighted the critical role of electricity in national economic and social development noting that the ongoing struggles with poor electricity generation and distribution has a severe impact on the country’s economic growth and the living conditions of its citizens.
Onuakalusi recalled significant efforts made by successive governments to boost electricity supply through sustainable alternative energy solutions.
“In December, 2023, the World Bank approved 750 million dollars facility to boost Renewable Energy in Nigeria, with the objective of providing over 17.5 million Nigerians with improved access to electricity through distributed Renewable Energy solutions.
“In 2020, the federal government launched a 200 million dollars renewable energy project tagged ‘Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP)’ to provide off-grid energy to over 500,000 people across 105,000 households in rural communities in Nigeria with facilities sourced from the African Development Bank (AfDB),
“Further recalls that in 2023, the Rural Electrification Agency reported that over 2 billion dollars in renewable energy has been attracted in the past decade without any noticeable improvement.”
Onuakalusi expressed concern over the lack of visible contributions from renewable energy to the national grid, despite the extensive investments and grants aimed at enhancing electricity supply and economic growth.
“The dysfunctional electricity generation and supply system remain unchanged, contrary to the objectives behind the government’s investments and the foreign grants received to develop the renewable energy sector,” Onuakalusi stated.
The House therefore mandated the Committee on Renewable Energy to investigate and report within four weeks for further legislative action.
STAR Check: Nigerians, particularly, constituents of Oshodi-Isolo II federal constituency, can keep tabs on the legislative performance of Rep. Onuakalusi throughout the 10th House here
