Top ministers, including Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, Science and Technology Minister Uche Nnaji, and Budget and Economic Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu, have been summoned to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy on Wednesday.
Chaired by Afam Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra State, the committee is investigating the allocation of over $2 billion in investments and grants intended to boost Nigeria’s renewable energy sector since 2015.
Despite extensive funding, Nigeria’s power supply has shown little improvement, prompting the committee’s scrutiny. The investigation, which began on Tuesday, comes after a mandate issued to the committee in June to assess how various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have utilized these funds.
However, none of the ministers appeared at the hearing on Tuesday, instead sending representatives who were turned away.
Chairman Ogene expressed disappointment at the ministers’ absence, reiterating the committee’s authority to summon public officers. He urged the ministers to appear without fail on Wednesday, emphasizing the necessity of transparency in public expenditure.
In addition to the ministers, representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), the Office of the Accountant General, and institutions like Union Bank and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company are also expected at the session.