By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives Sub-Committee on the Protection of Critical National Assets yesterday dismissed the petition against the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company, NELMCO, stating that its operations are legitimate.
Chairman of the committee, Dabo Ismail, who spoke yesterday during a meeting convened by the panel to address the petitioner and the accused, described the accusations as unsubstantiated and lacking in merit.
It would be recalled that a petition had been filed by the Association for Public Policy Analysis, APPA, accusing NELMCO of financial misconduct and embezzlement.
The petitioner had also alleged that NELMCO continued existence constitute threat to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.
But the panel denied the allegation mentioning that NELMCO’s Legal Standing is Affirmed Under New Electricity Act
According to the committee, they all took the APPA petition seriously and undertook a thorough investigation but found out that contrary to the petitioners claims, the panel found that NELMCO’s operations are legally grounded in the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023, which empowers the company to manage the liabilities and non-core assets of the defunct PHCN and its successor companies.
“We verified the legal documents and confirmed NELMCO’s mandate is supported by law,” he explained.
On the allegation of N94m Retreat Expenditure, the Chairman of the panel also Defended the group adding that all documents against the allegation have been provided as evidence
Responding to one of the major allegations of a lavish N94 million expenditure on a five-day retreat in Lagos, NELMCO’s Managing Director, Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas, provided detailed documentation and photographic evidence to support the expenses.
She, however, explained that the retreat was attended by top government officials, including the Director Generals of DMO and BPP, along with facilitators and executives, and that it lasted for five days.
The panel further informed that all the expenditure was justifiable based on scope and attendance of people.
Members of the committee supported the MD’s explanation, stating that the N94 million was just and reasonable given the caliber of attendees and the duration of the retreat.
One of the panel members pointed out that a moderate room at the Eko Signature Hotel in Lagos costs approximately N650,000 per night, and accommodating 25 people for five nights without accounting for food and logistics would amount to around N81 million.
Another member, Hon. Billy Osawaru emphasised that since the expenditure had been previously appropriated by the National Assembly, there was no further basis for disputing it.
“If we already approved the funding during the budget process, and they’ve accounted for it with evidence, then it’s time to move on,” he declared.
The committee also debunked claims by the petitioner regarding the alleged acquisition of an office by NELMCO in Northern Nigeria -stating that there was no proof of any such allegation.
Meanwhile, the petitioner was asked to submit further evidence if available, dismissing the current petition in it entirety.
While commending the petitioner for the courage to peep into the activities of government agencies and public office holders, lawmakers encouraged other civil society groups to continue monitoring public agencies and bring credible reports to the attention of the lawmakers.
