By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating power sector reforms and expenditure between 2006 and 2024 has constituted a seven-man sub-committee to conduct a forensic audit of the usage of gas supplied to electricity generation companies (Gencos) across the country.
The decision was made after the committee discovered that the Sapele Power Plant had not generated electricity despite receiving gas supplies for over a year.
Hon. Harrison Nwadike, who moved the motion for the forensic audit, alleged that Seplat Energy Company may have committed an economic crime by being an accomplice to a power plant that diverted gas supplied for electricity generation.
The Managing Director of Seplat Energy, Mrs. Ibiada Itoto, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the company has remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s power sector reform agenda.
“Seplat’s primary objective has always been to ensure the sustainability and growth of Nigeria’s power sector, rather than undermining it,” she said.
The General Manager, Gas, Seplat Energy Company, Mr. Olubukola Fasoyin, disclosed that the Sapele Power Plant is currently indebted to Seplat to the tune of ₦20 billion for gas supplied. Despite this, Nwadike alleged that Seplat may have been aware of the plant’s inability to generate electricity and still supplied gas.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Al-Mustapha Aliyu, expressed shock and disappointment that a company of Seplat’s stature allegedly lacked the internal structure to detect foul play in the utilisation of gas supplied to power plants.
“I am surprised that a company of Seplat’s stature allegedly lacks the internal structure to detect foul play in the utilisation of gas supplied to power plants,” he said.
The committee constituted a seven-man sub-committee to carry out the forensic audit, with Representative Afam Victor Ogene as Chairman.
The sub-committee will investigate the usage of gas supplied to Gencos and determine if there were any irregularities or economic crime committed.
The audit aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the power sector and to determine the extent of Seplat’s involvement in the alleged gas diversion.
