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in terms of power generation, with most households and offices going without electricity for days. How can we justify that in view of the huge funds pumped into the sector?
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party called on the present government to urgently order an inquiry into how such a huge amount of public funds was spent without a commensurate impact on the country's power situation.
The statement reads in part:'Today, Nigeria is worse off than it was in 1999 in terms of power generation, with most households and offices going without electricity for days. How can we justify that in view of the huge funds pumped into the sector?
'Thank God the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has come out with the figure of the money it received from the government between 1999 and 2007. What is left is how the fund was spent and why it never impacted on the power situation.
'It is particularly instructive that despite the $1 billion spent on the rehabilitation of the six existing thermal and hydro power stations at Afam, Delta, Egbin, Kainji, Sapele and Shiroro, those stations have been worse off in terms of performance.
'Also alarming is the fact that former President, Olusegun Obasanjo went on a frenzied commissioning of power stations in the twilight of his administration, even when it was obvious that the stations were several months away from contributing to the national grid," the party said, wondering why the ex-president chose to deceive the people into believing the stations were ready.
AC said Nigerians, who were now bearing the brunt of eight years of poor governance and lack of accountability under Obasanjo, despite non-stop touting of an anti-corruption battle, will definitely like to know where all the $4 billion went.
It said the government should treat the problem in the sector as an emergency, considering the fact that many businesses have closed and millions thrown out of jobs as a direct consequence of the country's poor power situation.
'The darkness that envelopes our towns and cities at night have also contributed to the worsening security situation in the land,which is another reason the government
should act fast before the nation grounds to a halt."
AC said the problem in the power sector reflected the
rot left by the last administration in all areas of
Nigeria's national life, including roads,
infrastructure, potable water, healthcare and
education, just to mention a few.