Skip to main content

NBET Budget: Breach of EPSR Act that should not be allowed

Akinloye Oyeniyi

 

SIR: It is no more news to all concerned stakeholders in critical sectors of Nigerian economy, that an unwarranted and unprovoked illegality of transferring Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET) from the Ministry of Power to Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, without amendment to the Act from which its establishment was rooted. Likewise, it is also in the open that the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders are working strenuously to undo the illegality.

The unlawful transfer of NBET from the Ministry of Power to Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, is a clear breach of Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and other allied subsidiary legislations.

The power sector is a critical sector in any economy, and the Ministry of Power is the ministry charged with responsibility of providing power across the country and in discharging this mandate, it is guided by the provisions of the laws provided under National Electric Power Policy (NEPP) of 2001, the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act of 2005, Rural Electrification Implementation Strategy Plan 2016 and the Roadmap for Power Sector Reform of August 2010; all covering from power generation to power supply.

Under the Ministry of Power, NBET is the manager and administrator of the electricity pool in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and that it was incorporated on July 29, 2010 as a roadmap for power sector reform towards the full implementation of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 and the reform is on-going and delivering on all angles but I am afraid that mileage gained so far could get disrupted with the latest illegal transfer of NBET.

Section 11 of Marketing Regulation is very clear and it says, “the sale of electricity is prohibited unless with the express permission of the Minister of Power, and under the conditions stipulated by him. Nothing in these Regulations shall authorize any licensee to supply, sell, exchange, or barter a supply of electrical energy however derived with any other person.” Why then would those behind this illegality plainly go against such provision is what is not clear to Nigerians till now.

These are rules made pursuant to Section 26 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, which provides that it is the Minister of Power that shall recommend the market rules to be developed by the System Operator for, amongst other things, the establishment and governance of markets related to electricity and ancillary services.

Now why the governance of the electricity markets was illegally moved to another ministry not mentioned in the Act to the point that NBET 2021 budget for the first time is unlawfully coming under the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is what the federal government is yet to explain to Nigerians.

 

Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and other parastatals under the Ministry of Power since their inception have been having their budgets prepared by the Ministry of Power and passed under items of the same ministry, but now that is not so.

The submission of NBET 2021 budget under the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is a breach of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and clear violation of the Senate Orders and House of Representatives Rules. The unlawful nature of the action was why the House of Representatives committee directed immediate reversal of the transfer but the directive is yet to be complied with by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning.

So, like other stakeholders, I am calling on the National Assembly to either step down NBET Budget until its directive is complied with or go ahead to scrutinize and pass the same under the Ministry of Power.

As a stakeholder in the legislative arena, I also urge the National Assembly to critically probe this unlawful transfer and executive arm’s disdain for the legislative

 

  • Akinloye Oyeniyi,

 Abuja.

 

 

 



from Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics https://ift.tt/3mjUZkM
via IFTTT

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

We're glad you want to comment, kindly avoid spamming the page, thanks

Popular posts from this blog

Edo Museum of West African Art

The Benin Kingdom is known for its arts, many of which are scattered in museums around the world. The Edo State government’s decision to establish the museum of West African art will further the state’s image, writes Robert Egbe   On Friday, November 13, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki announced a post-COVID-19 recovery plan to strengthen the public sector. But perhaps the most interesting component of his proposal was the announcement of a new partnership that seeks to return Edo State to its competitive advantage many centuries ago, and establish the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA). It is a fact that the Benin kingdom was one of the most powerful and creative kingdoms in Africa, with its art and craftmanship so globally acknowledged and renowned that European explorers marvelled at the level of sophistication of the art and culture emanating from this kingdom. Very few would argue with the fact that at some point in its history, this great kingdom was regarded as th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Boko Haram lures recruits with N5,000, says Zulum

Our Reporter Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday said Boko Haram fighters lure recruits with as low as N5,000. The governor also reveals how his government sustained the fight against insurgents in the state in the last two years. He made the revelations in his statewide broadcast to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day (June 12, 2021) and his second anniversary in office, stating that “of all Nigeria’s 36 states, none is faced with the level of Borno’s security and by extension, social and economic challenges. According to him: “From day one, we were faced with an acute humanitarian crisis, particularly in northern and some parts of the central senatorial zones. As such, we made it a policy that as governor, I assume the role of chief humanitarian officer for different reasons. “On one hand, it was our duty to deliver help to our fellow citizens that were either internally displaced or taking refuge in neighbouring countries. “On the other hand, there was ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Church launches NGO for children

By Oluwatomisin Amokeoja International Church of Christ (ICOC) Nigeria has launched Caring Hearts Initiative (CHI), which is designed to cater for the developmental needs of children between 1 to 6 years old. At the ceremony held yesterday at the ICOC’s Missions House in Ikeja, Lagos, the initiative was flagged off with the Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, which will assist targeted children within and outside its community to develop their full potentials. ICOC’s Lead Evangelist, Mr. Chris Ogbonnaya admonished the church to ensure all that they do to glorify Christ and not jeopardise the purpose for which the initiative was founded. In his words, CHI’s Programme Director, Mr Jide Ojo noted the newly incorporated charity is posed to be the “foremost in the provision of quality and endearing care for all.” According to Ojo, 77 children from ICOC’s 11 regions in Lagos, selected through a survey, will be the first set of beneficiaries for one year. For the first batch, h...
Post a Comment
Read more