Reps to investigate clearing of N2.8b power equipment

The House of Representatives says it will investigate the payment of more than N2.8 billion by the Federal Government for the clearing of imported equipment aimed at boosting power supply in the country.

This was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Gaza Gbefwi (Nasarawa-PDP) at the plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion earlier, Gbefwi said between 2012 and 2013, the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) procured the equipment with an understanding that the goods will be delivered.

The legislator said concession in form of tax exemption was granted to facilitate quick clearing and delivery of the equipment to improve the power sector.

He said the equipment, which were given priority at the time of procurement, have been abandoned and turned into a conduit pipe for siphoning billions of Naira under the guise of overtime charges and other sundry fees.

Gbefwi explained that the procurement was made before the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), thus making them federal government properties.

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He alleged that a number of the equipment have been cleared fraudulently and illegally by some Distribution and Generating Companies.

He urged the members to support the motion as it was the responsibility of the legislature to block leakages in resource allocation of the federal government.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Mr Yakubu Dogara, mandated Committees on Power, Banking and Currency as well as Customs and Excise to urgently investigate the matter and report within three weeks.