…Seek Establishment Of Mini Power Grids By ECN
By Gift Chapi Odekina
The House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology has assured that it will do everything within Its legislative powers to improve the funding for the Shedda Science and Technology Complex Gwagwalada, to enable it recruit more staff that would bridge the existing personnel gap in the agency.
The chairperson of the committee, Hon. Beni Lar made this known at a budget defense session with the management of the agency which is tasked with science and technology research and development on Tuesday in Abuja.
Hon lar stated this in reaction to a plea by the director general of the agency,
Mr. Sunday Thomas who said that the agency is currently top-heavy and bottom-light.
Hon. Lar said: “It’s surprising to hear that SHESCO is short-staffed, an agency of that magnitude. This committee will do whatever is necessary through adequate funding to ensure that you have the needed number of personnel to enhance the actualization of your mandate. We are assuring you of that.”
Going through the details of implementation of the 2022 budget, Lawmakers asked for explanations of the figures presented saying that anything spent and not appropriated for by law must be questioned.
“The processes of procurement and how funds were utilized must be accounted for.
“You’re given N10m, you should be able to explain to the National Assembly how you utilized it, and if you’ve explained this no problem, then we will look at what you have come with and even add more since the previous figure didn’t meet up,” a member of the committee had stated.
The DG in his response told the committee that the sum of N132m was for approved for overhead in 2022 appropriation, even another member of the committee noted that on the side of Capital, the project and its location was not indicated.
The DG added that “SHESCO is a specilaised place and a high-risk organisation and as such government budgets for unforseen events in the course of the year.”
“What we have submitted is the appropriation and not what came out of National Assembly.
“Personnel cost was N9.887 million out of the total of N2.211,149,443,75 approved for the agency in the year under review.
“Salary was N72 million, while non regular allowances cost 97.2 million,” he said.
He therefore called for increase in the nominal roll of the agency since the President has announced the lifting of ban on employment, saying “the agency currently has top-heavy and bottom-light personnel structure including middle level staff.”
“In the agency we generate our own power due to the fact that biological materials tend to perish without power,” he added.
He hinted on the plans to establish a solar farm to complement what’s in existence to enhance the implementation of its mandate particularly in the area of biotechnology.
In a related development, the committee also engaged the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), calling on the DG to prioritize the establishment of mini power grids to facilitate energy inclusiveness in the rural areas.
The Chairperson, Hon. Beni Lar who said the committee would adopt Its oversight reports in assessing the Commission however commended the DG, Prof. Jidare Bala on his plan to make energy efficient LED bulbs for the Nigerian market, particularly in rural areas.
She also called for the refocusing of attention on the mini grids saying “people in the rural areas need this to have access to power,” just as she urged the DG to come with samples to the upcoming energy summit next year
