Nigeria’s House of Representatives has adopted a petition seeking to investigate the non-performance and installation of transformers approved by the federal government to private companies towards providing adequate equipment for the distribution of electricity to Nigerians across several constituencies
The House resolution followed a petition by Ime Okon representing Itu-Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, who decried the continuous refusal of a private company engaged by the federal government to honour the terms and conditions of its contract, thereby denying Nbutusion village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa State access to power supply.
The lawmaker, in his petition noted that the ugly development has become a recurring pattern across several constituencies in the country, denying people within several affected communities access to power supply, affecting businesses and crippling economic activities
Okon explained that the Nbutusion village council, which operates within the Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, is a primary traditional and administrative body responsible for community governance, resolving local disputes, and liaising with government at all levels for the welfare of the people
The lawmaker maintained that the petition became necessary following the hardship faced by constituents within the affected community, arguing that the same fate befalls several communities across the country, who go through difficulties accessing projects approved by the federal government aimed alleviating their sufferings
He called for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged non-execution of the said contract to serve as a deterrent to other private companies towing same path across the country, warning that failure to thoroughly investigate the matter may enable more companies to misuse funds approved by the federal government for projects aimed at developing the country
The House directed its Committee on Public Petitions to investigate the matter and report back to plenary with recommendations for further legislative action.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
