Nigeria’s House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating power sector reforms and expenditure between 2006 and 2024 has constituted a seven-man sub-committee to conduct a forensic audit into the usage of gas supplied to electricity generation companies across the country.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion by a member of the adhoc committee, Harrison Nwadike, who questioned the rationale behind the continued supply of gas to the moribund Sapele Power Plant over the past one year.
Nwadike revealed that the committee discovered during a recent oversight visit to the power plant in Sapele, Delta State that it was no longer functional, noting that despite the alleged supply of gas, the facility has not generated electricity.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Al-Mustapha Aliyu, noted that there were widespread concerns among Nigerians that Seplat Energy Company has not been supplying adequate gas to Gencos as required; a development, he says has hindered optimum performance of some power plants and short-changing the country.
Responding to the allegations, the Managing Director of Seplat Energy, Mrs. Ibiada Itoto, dismissed the claims by the committee, insisting that the company has remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s power sector reform agenda.
She described as untrue, allegations that Seplat Energy is undermining the federal government’s power sector reforms, explaining that the company’s primary objective has always been to ensure the sustainability and growth of Nigeria’s power sector
The company’s General Manager, Gas, Olubukola Fasoyin, told the committee that the Sapele Power Plant is currently indebted to Seplat to the tune of 20 billion naira for gas supplied
Against these explanations, the committee members insist that Seplat may have committed an economic crime by allegedly being an accomplice to a power plant that has diverted gas supplied for electricity generation for over one year.
The committee therefore constituted a seven-man forensic audit sub-committee with Afam Ogene as Chairman alongside six other members which includes Kafilat Ogbara, Salisu Magaji, Faud Kayode Laguda, Harrison Nwadike among others to conduct the investigation.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
