The National Assembly has come under intense pressure to probe the decision of the executive arm of government to move the 2021 budget of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, NBET, from the Ministry of Power to the Ministry of Finance.
This was as a legislative advocacy group, National Intervention Group of Nigeria, NIGON on Monday, submitted a highly worded petition to the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday at the National Assembly, Convener, NIGON, Akinloye Oyeniyi, argued that it is unlawful for the Federal Government to through the 2021 Appropriation Bill attempt to alter an Act of the National Assembly by shifting an agency from one ministry to another without recourse to the parliament.
According to the Oyeniyi, the transfer is in breach of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and gross violation of Senate Orders and House of Representatives rules.
“We are aware that the NBET and other parastatals under the Ministry of Power have been having their budgets prepared by the Ministry of Power.
“Whereas in the 2021 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, the budget of NBET was unlawfully taken out of the Ministry of Power to the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning,” he said.
The group’s petition comes even as the House of Representatives through its Committee on Finance, had asked the Minister of Finance to immediately reverse the transfer.
The group said it would be available to back its petition at a public hearing, as well as explore legal means unto the Supreme Court, for proper interpretation of the Constitution.
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The NBET is the current manager of electricity pool in the Nigerian electricity supply value chain. The company was incorporated in 2010 as part of the country’s roadmap for power sector reform and full implementation of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, EPSRA.
The company is 100% owned by the Nigerian government.
Editor: Tunde Orebiyi
