Uzodimma calls for probe of billions of dollars spent in power sector since 1999,

Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called for a comprehensive audit of the billions of dollars spent by the federal government to provide regular electricity supply since 1999.

Uzodimma spoke during the Southeast Business Roundtable for Light up Nigeria project held in Enugu on Monday, February 26.

The launching of the project was done by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) and its partners.

The event was to launch an initiative to ensure dedicated power supply to industrial clusters across the country, with Southeast as a major hub.

Uzodimma lamented that it would be unfair for several billions of dollars to be spent on the power sector without any positive results.

He said: “There are questions that are capable of provoking renewed interests of our people in Nigeria. In 1998, Nigeria was generating about 6000 megawatts of electricity. From 1999 to 2007, over $13 billion was spent by the federal government to boost power.

“In 2024, over 78 percent of homes and industries in Nigeria do not have access to power.

“The impediment of power supply in the Southeast is also down to poor infrastructure.

“The people of Southeast are very hardworking. But, over 75 percent of industries are shut down in the Southeast due to lack of power. This is a zone that is hugely endowed. You talk of gas which is in the Niger Delta, which Southeast is part of.

“I think there’s a need for a comprehensive audit of decisions taken in the past of power sector spending to know whether we are getting it right or wrong. This will help us start from the known to the unknown. Is it because of our inability to manage our national resources or what?”

He called on Nigerians not to point accusing fingers at the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, which came into existence nine months ago.