Tag: House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy will on Tuesday, November 5 begin investigation into the utilisation of the $2 billion renewable energy grants and investments meant for the development of the renewable energy sector in Nigeria, which has not made a commensurate impact on the energy security challenges.

The Committee invited the management of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the Rural Electrification Agency and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited to an investigative hearing. 

Other key stakeholders invited to the hearing  include the Ngerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Country Representative European Union, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Federal Ministry of Power, Energy Commission of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Finance, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management. 

Also to appear at the hearing are Federal Ministry of Petroleum (Gas Resources), Niger Delta Development Commission, United States Agency for International Development, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Accountant General of the Federation, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations (Alliance) REEEA-A

and Other Concerned Stakeholders.

Chairman of the Committee, Afam Victor Ogene, said in a statement that the public hearing followed the mandate given to the Committee by the House to investigate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies with dealings in investment, procurement, and receipt of grants for the development of the renewable energy sector.

Ogene said the probe will cover the period from 2015 to 2024, saying the House was miffed that “Despite government attracting over $2 billion in renewable energy investments in the past decade, as reported by the Rural Electrification Agency in 2023, there has been no noticeable improvement in the sector. 

“The House of Reps was alarmed that the dysfunctional electricity generation and supply system persists, contrary to the objectives behind government investments and grants aimed at developing the renewable energy sector, hence the resolution to probe these investments in order to determine the integrity of the procurement and execution processes,” he said. 

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He said the investigation is not to witch-hunt but to discourage opaqueness and promote transparency and objectivity in handling government or public resources. 

He thanked the European Union and other donor agencies for their useful submissions, insights and cooperation in sharing information with the committee.

The resolutions of the House were sequel to the adoption of a motion titled “Need to investigate investments in renewable energy sector and foreign grants received from 2015 till date”, sponsored by the lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.

Leading the debate, the lawmaker said the parliament was aware that poor electricity generation, transmission and distribution constituted a huge threat to the nation’s quest for industrial and technological development.

According to the lawmakers, successive governments since 2015 have made substantial investments and attracted multimillion-dollar foreign grants to the renewable energy subsector of Nigeria’s power industry to create a viable and sustainable alternative energy supply. 

They noted that in December 2023, the World Bank approved a $750 million facility to boost renewable energy in Nigeria, with the goal of providing over 17.5 million Nigerians with improved access to electricity through distributed renewable energy solutions. 

They also noted that in 2020, the federal government launched a $200 million renewable energy project, tagged ‘Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP),’ aimed at providing off-grid energy to over 500,000 people across 105,000 households in rural communities, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). 

The House of Representatives yesterday alerted Nigerians to the possibility of the country losing two orbital spaces to underutilisation and risking the loss of $400 million as a result.

It urged the Federal Government to prioritise the protection of Nigeria’s orbital slots and investment in satellite technology to ensure the full utilisation of allocated orbital slots before the deadline on December 6.

The House also asked the government to ensure timely registration and renewal of Nigeria’s orbital slots by establishing an oversight mechanism to monitor progress on the utilisation of orbital slots and ensure compliance with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU’s) regulations.

In its resolution following a motion by Muktar Tolani Shagaya (APC, Kwara), the House directed the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to develop and launc satellites that would occupy the nation’s slots to prevent their forfeiture.

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The Green Chamber also directed its Committee on Digital and Communications Technology to conduct a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s current utilisation of its orbital slots.

In his lead debate on the motion, Shagaya said Nigeria had been granted three orbital slots by the ITU for satellite placement in geostationary orbit.

The lawmaker described the slots as vital for telecommunication, broadcasting, weather monitoring, and national defence purposes.

He said only one of the three slots was being utilised through NigComSat-1, leaving the other two vulnerable to reassignment, if left unused by the December 6 deadline.

Shagaya put the cost of acquiring a new orbital slot at approximately $200 million, while the loss of the slots would not only result in a significant financial loss but also impede the nation’s technological progress and economic development.

The Kwara lawmaker explained that numerous factors contribute to the underutilisation of the slots, such as financial limitations, inadequate technical infrastructure, and delays in policy implementation.

He added that the critical significance of the orbital slots was beyond technological progress.

According to him, it includes national security, disaster response, connectivity, and navigation capabilities.

Shagaya expressed concern over Nigeria’s increasing competition with other countries for orbital slots, in response to rising global demand for satellite services.

He said this could lead to the permanent forfeiture of Nigeria’s assigned positions.

The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to urgently transmit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). 

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance titled: “Ensures long term macro-economic stability of the national economy” by Reps member Clement Jimbo.

Leading the debate on the motion, Jimbo said that the MTEF if quickly submitted to the National Assembly will give members enough time to work on the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

Jimbo stated that Section 11(1)(b) stipulates that the Federal Government must submit MTEF not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year, and lay it before the National Assembly.

He further hinted that section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution as well as section 30(1) of FRA 2007, specifically, section 88(1) give both Chambers of the National Assembly the power to investigate any arm or agency of Government that fails to comply with the law enacted by the National Assembly in disbursing and administering monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.

The House, worried by time wasted by arms of Government and agencies for non-compliance, urged the executive to comply with section 11(1)(b) and submit to the National Assembly 2025 Budget proposal without further delays to enable the House carry out it functions as enshrined in section 88(2)(b).

He expressed worry that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution as well as section 30(1) of FRA 2007, specifically, section 88(1) stipulate that subject to other provisions of the 1999 Constitution,

“Each House of the National Assembly shall have the power, by passing resolutions, to direct, or cause to be directed, an investigation into any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws, and into the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry of government department charged or intended to be charged with the duty of or responsibility for executing of administrating laws enacted by the National Assembly and for disbursing or administrating monies appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.”

According to him, the time the National Assembly requires to exercise its functions as enshrined in section 88(2)(b) “Is technically being taken away by the non-compliance of section 11(1)(b) of FRA 2007 by the executive.”

In his contribution, Billy Osawaru, said the timely late arrival of annual budget proposals “Is one of the ways Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government shortchange Nigerians.

“If it takes four months to go through budget estimates, it should be four months.”

Also contributing, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, expressed support for the motion, noting that unless budget estimates arrives the parliament on time; it would be difficult for legislators to scrutinise it in the interest of Nigerians.

“This government prides itself on the adherence to the January-December budget cycle. It is a good development,” he said.

Following the adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the plenary session, urged the Federal Government to comply with section 11(1)(b) and submit to the National Assembly 2025 Budget proposal without further delays.

It also mandated the Committees on National Planning and Economic Development, Appropriation and Finance to ensure compliance within two weeks.

A Bill seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as Amended), to provide for independent candidacy has scaled the second reading in the House of Representatives.

The Bill, titled: “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB1630) (Independent Candidates),” is sponsored by House Spokesman Akin Rotimi Jr.

The lawmaker, who represents the Ekiti North I (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency, said the Bill aims to expand Nigeria’s democratic space.

“This crucial legislation, which is a legacy Bill from previous assemblies, was reintroduced for consideration following its first reading on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

“Today, the Bill was recommitted to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further comprehensive consideration and legislative action.

“This recommital, serving as the second reading, followed a motion moved by Isah Bello Ambarura (APC, Sokoto), Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, and seconded by Akin Rotimi Jr.,” he said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

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Rotimi Jr. expressed joy for advancing the Bill, emphasising the importance of expanding political participation through independent candidacy.

“This legislative action is pivotal for the continued evolution of our democracy. It recognises the constitutional significance of offering citizens the option to run for public office independently, thereby ensuring greater inclusivity,” he said.

The Bill’s progress is guided by the combined provisions of Order 12, Rule 17, and Order One, Rule 1(2), of the House of Representatives Standing Orders, underscoring the House’s commitment to a thorough legislative process.

…says government should take steps to stabilise prices

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, October 16, asked the federal government to immediately order a reversal of the recent increase in the price of petrol which it said has increased the hardship being faced by Nigerians.

The House also asked the government to take immediate steps to stabilise petrol and cooking gas prices through targeted interventions such as temporary price relief measures, tax reductions, or subsidies on LPG for low-income households.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by 101 members, the House asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other relevant agencies to expedite the repair/maintenance of domestic refineries and increase local refining capacity as a stop-gap measure to reduce the dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

It also asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement monetary policies that will mitigate the adverse effects of fuel price hikes on inflation, particularly about essential goods and services.

They also want the federal government to explore alternative energy sources and diversify the country’s energy mix to reduce reliance on petrol and gas, promoting renewable energy solutions that are more sustainable and affordable in the long term.

In addition, it said State Governments to adopt policies that alleviate the financial burden on their citizens, such as waiving taxes or levies on transportation and goods affected by high fuel costs;

Moving the motion on behalf of other members, Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano) said Nigeria, as an oil-producing nation, has historically relied on petroleum products and cooking gas (LPG) as essential sources of energy for both domestic and industrial purposes.

He expressed concern that in recent months, the prices of petrol and cooking gas have skyrocketed and continue to so do, creating an unsustainable financial burden on ordinary Nigerians and exacerbating the cost of living.

Madaki said the removal of fuel subsidies, coupled with global oil price volatility and the depreciation of the Naira, has contributed significantly to the rising cost of petrol at the pump and cooking gas for households.

He said the escalating fuel and gas prices are impacting the cost of transportation, food, essential goods and healthcare, further increasing inflation and pushing many families into deeper financial hardship.

He expressed concern that businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are struggling to manage their operational costs due to increased fuel prices, threatening economic stability and job security.

He said the Federal Government has previously announced plans to repair domestic refineries and boost local refining capacity to address some of these issues but has yet to deliver significant results in this regard.

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According to him, the rising cost of petrol and cooking gas poses a significant threat to the livelihood of millions of Nigerians and unchecked inflationary pressure caused by the increased prices can lead to social unrest, increased poverty rates, and negative long-term economic effects.

He said that unless urgent and pragmatic steps are taken to control the rising cost of petrol and cooking gas, the Nation will go into economic crisis leading to negative outcomes like increased crime rate and mortality rate.

In his contribution to the debate, Minority Whip of the House, Ali Isa (PDP, Gombe) said the constant increase in prices of petrol has led to the escalation of prices of food, transportation, and health care services, thereby having a negative impact on the Nigerian people.

He argued that in accordance with the provision of section 14(2b) of the constitution, the primary purpose of government is to ensure the welfare and security of the people, saying, “Our responsibility is to ensure the welfare of our people.

“The people are suffering because of the increase in fuel price and the government should allow the people to breathe and should please not remove the cylinder giving Nigerians little oxygen.

“The government should listen to the cry of the people and take steps to review any policy that will affect Nigerians negatively. Those who sign this motion are of the view that their people and by extension, the Nigerian people are suffering.

Also contributing, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi argued that the motion was apt and speaks to the current challenges that Nigerians were passing through, saying, “We speak to draw the attention of the government to do things that will improve the welfare of Nigerians.”

He stated that members were not against any move to better the lives of Nigerians, adding that the Petroleum Industry Act which deregulated the oil sector was a creation of the National Assembly.

He said however that what should be of utmost concern should be how to adjust the speed limit of the deregulation to avoid adverse effects on the Nigerian people.

Also, George Ibezimakor said the increase in the price of petrol has made nonsense of the recently announced national minimum wage of N70,000 given the sharp increase in prices of goods and services.

“Our people cannot transport their farm produce to the market and because of that, there is an increase in prices of food we must pressure the government. We also need to review our OPEC policy. We don’t have to be in OPEC because that is the only way we can address this issue.

In his intervention, the Minority Leader and one of the sponsors of the motion, Kingsley Chinda (PDP) said every responsible and responsive officeholder must listen to the people they serve.

He said: “Law is made for man and not man for the law. When a law is passed, you also look at the intention of the law. The PIA provides for deregulation. What is the intention of the law? Is that what Nigerians going through right now? The answer is no.

“We yearn for deregulation, but his do we implement it so that it does not affect the people negatively? We must consider Nigerians in the process of implementation of such laws.”