The House Committee on Renewable Energy gave the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Managing Director, Mr Abba Aliyu, 24 hours to appear and account for the agency’s loan and grant expenditures.
The lawmakers, in a resolution that followed a motion by Rep. Paul Kalejaiye (APC- Lagos) at a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, also urged the Inspector-General of Police to arrest the managing director if he failed to comply with the ultimatum.
In his remarks, Rep. Shina Oyedeji (PDP-Oyo) said that the resolution became necessary following several investigations conducted by the committee into Aliyu, which he failed to honour.
He said the hearing was another opportunity for the managing director to appear, but the managing director failed to do so and did not send a representative.
Oyedeji said that N151 billion was received from government appropriation between 2015 and 2024 for solar hybrid mini-grid systems, solar home systems, and street lights.
He said that $550 million was received from the World Bank and the African Development Bank between 2018 and 2024 as grants, including $350 million for solar hybrid mini-grids, $120 million for energy efficiency equipment, and $80 million for productive appliances, aimed at providing power supply to universities and university teaching hospitals across the country.
The lawmaker said that approximately N13 billion was contributed to the REA Fund between 2015 and 2024. This fund, established by the government, is dedicated to rural electrification projects.
He further stated that another grant of 8 million dollars from the German government and the European Union (EU) was received in 2022, aimed at providing reliable electricity services to 135 million people. This grant was among several others, including loans received in the same period.
He said, “Today, we gave them a chance to defend fund management and reveal beneficiaries and achievements.
“Many of these could have increased productivity and agriculture, investment, and increased our assets in electricity as a country.
“That is not even enough; this has to do with the integrity of Nigeria because many of these grants came from international donors.
Failure to account, especially by the agency, damages our reputation.
The agency must appear before the committee tomorrow or face further legislative action.
Committee Chairman Rep. Afam Ogene said at least five invitation letters were sent, delivered, and acknowledged by the agency.
He said that when it came to investment in the electricity sector, especially foreign grants, REA remained the lead agency and should be telling Nigerians who the beneficiaries are.
They have repeatedly delegated others and refused to appear before this committee or the House to report to Nigerians.
He ruled that the managing director must appear on Wednesday at 11 a.m, or risk arrest by security agencies to compel his appearance.
