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The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee’s crucial investigation into Nigeria’s power sector reforms and expenditure spanning nearly two decades (2007-2024) has hit a significant roadblock, as critical government agencies and private sector operators continue to defy parliamentary summons and document requests.
At a resumed investigative hearing on Friday, the committee faced what Chairman Hon. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu described as “outright disrespect” when not a single stakeholder appeared despite scheduled appearances from at least seven ministries, departments, agencies, and power companies.
“We adjourned to reconvene today by 11 a.m., but as of 12:30 p.m., not one stakeholder has shown up,” Aliyu stated. “Members have been here waiting for over two hours, yet those invited to clarify critical issues in this investigation are nowhere to be found. This is unacceptable.”
The chairman emphasized that this pattern of non-compliance represents more than mere scheduling conflicts—it constitutes a deliberate attempt to frustrate a constitutionally mandated probe into nearly two decades of power sector reforms and trillions of naira invested in Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
Context: The High Stakes of Power Sector Accountability
This investigation comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s longstanding electricity crisis, where despite massive investments and multiple reform initiatives, power generation and distribution remain inadequate. The probe aims to trace “every naira released, every project approved, every contract executed, and every promise made to Nigerians” during a period that saw the privatization of generation and distribution assets under the Power Sector Reform Act.
Systemic Non-Compliance Pattern Emerges
Aliyu revealed that while a few organizations had formally requested extensions, many others neither acknowledged the committee’s letters nor provided any justification for their absence. This systematic resistance is particularly concerning given that the committee had already addressed logistical challenges related to contact addresses and delivery confirmations.
The poor compliance rate is significantly impeding the investigation’s progress and raising serious questions about transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s power sector. When key stakeholders avoid scrutiny, it undermines public confidence and suggests potential irregularities in how massive public investments have been managed.
Parliamentary Powers and Next Steps
“Let it be clear: the National Assembly cannot be ignored,” Aliyu asserted. “This committee will not allow any institution—public or private—to decide on its own which invitation to honour and which to discard. We will not be undermined.”
The committee has directed its secretariat to compile a detailed compliance chart tracking acknowledgements, document submissions, and hearing appearances. This transparency measure will provide Nigerians with a clear view of cooperation levels and inform the committee’s subsequent actions.
Escalation Imminent
Aliyu issued a stern warning: “If after all these opportunities, they continue to avoid this probe, we will not hesitate to issue summons and take further steps within the powers granted to us. Accountability is not optional. This investigation is in the national interest.”
Under Nigerian parliamentary procedures, committees possess the authority to issue subpoenas and, if necessary, seek warrants for the arrest of recalcitrant witnesses. The committee’s determination to proceed despite resistance underscores the critical importance of this investigation for Nigeria’s economic development and energy security.
“This exercise is too important to be trivialized,” Aliyu concluded, emphasizing that the probe represents a crucial opportunity to address fundamental questions about why Nigeria’s power sector continues to underperform despite massive investments over nearly two decades.