The senate on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to immediately reconnect Maiduguri back to the National Grid.
This was made known at the senate through a five prayer motion sponsored by the senate leader, Ali Ndume.
The senate also resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to carry out a holistic investigation on the management of the funds appropriated for the power sector since 1999; and the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria , an aspect of which is now the TCN.
In addition, the senate strongly condemned the inability of the TCN to provide continuous and uninterrupted power supply to all parts of the country.
It also directed the Joint Task Force (JTF) to clear Maiduguri of insurgents and provide security for the TCN to reconnect the area to the National Grid.
It also urged the federal government to complete the Manbila power project.
The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said that inadequate power supply in the country has adversely affected economic growth and become a great concern to the nation.
He went ahead to stress that after corruption, the lack of power supply has plunged the country in further hardship.
“We thought that with the Power Reform Act and unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), we will begin to see a relieve with regard to power supply, unfortunately it is not so.
“The ad-hoc committee we will set up should look at the activities of the DISCOS and what is preventing Nigerians from benefiting from the unbundling of the PHCN,’’ he said.
Sen. Ali Ndume who supported the motion said that the senate needs to investigate the power supply while giving their support to the government as the situation had grounded economic activities in the state.
” I buy diesel to run my generator set and that costs me N10, 000 per day.
“No country can be said to be near development when there is no power.
“For years now a lot of money has been spent but there is nothing to show for it.’’he said.
Also, Sen. Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West), complained that many companies with good potential have shut down due to irregular power supply in the country. The senate adjourned till September 29.
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