CAN anything good came out of Nazareth is one popular question in the Christina holy book. And this seems to be the question on the mind of Nigerians as the Senate recently begins the power sector probe. After seeing similar probes and their recommendations swept under the carpet Nigerians an also very skeptical about the out come of this one.
The probe is expected to probe the regimes of former Presidents; Olusegun Obasanjo, the Late Umaru Yaradua and Goodluck Jonathan. It will involves  investigation, hearing and interaction session with key players in the sector. Investigation will focus on funds appropriated for the power sector from 1999, till date.
Although I’m not a doubting Thomas, but I strongly believe that the present and the future can’t be taken seriously without the help of the past.
Just as Senate President, Dr. Butola Sakari has inaugurated, the Senate ad-hoc committee on power, then House of Representative in January 2008 passes a resolution mentality his power and steel committee headed by Godwin Ndudi Elumelu t probe the power sector over alleged $16 billion investments with no power in the country.
According to reports, the committee recommend the interrogation of some former and serving public officials by the country’s anti-graft agencies for their roles in the power projects contracts.
Among them are power President Olusegun Obasanjo, then governor of Ondo State Dr. Olusegun Agagus former governor of Cross River State Liyel Imoke; then governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Prof. Charles Soludo; than Accountant-General of the Federation Ibrahim Dankwonbo among others.
The committee, in the report, was convinced that the intercention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the matter would compel the indicted officials and institutions to account for their roles in the award and execution of the multi-billion naira contracts.
The committee allegedly indicted the former boss of then Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and Special Adviser to Obasanjo Mr. Joseph Makoju and recommended a mass purpose of in PHCN, as well as a review of all the power projects in the country.
Agagu and Imoke both former Ministers of Ministry of Power and Steel, according to the committee’s saying awarded contracts to non existing firms, and must be made to account for their actions.
The panel rejected their explanations on the role they project in the scantal as “unsatisfactory”. It is said that the indicted persons if found guilty in the trial it recommended, should be borred from holding any public office in the future.
In the case of Obasanjo and former Minister of State for Energy, Alhaji Abdulamit Ahmed, the committee was insparing in its recommendation of the contentions practice of approving waivers for some contractors and in a demning indictment observed that in view of their alleged roles in the entire projects, Obasanjo and Ahmed should be cited for economic sabotage.
However some unpatriotic members in their desire to protect their political godfathers and not wanting to commit political suicide stopped all the 88 recommendations. Elumelu was later arrested by the EFCC and charged to court for allegedly mismanaging N5.2 billion rural electrification contracts funds on allegation he was recently cleared of by a Federal High Court in Abuja. In order to discredit the report the indicted political gladiators decided to rubbish Elumelu’s name. Thus kill the messenger and end the message.
In order for this current power sector probe to like up to the expectations of Nigerians, the committee should revisit the Elumelu’s report which have been swept under the carpet. The committee is not an Island, they must consult and probe into related areas for example in the academic field, no matter how good a person is helsue cites or quotes another to back up or express on opinion.
They must not also allow the Nigerian factor of “sacred cows”. That is leaving out anyone on the basis of the political, regional or tribal application they have with such persons.
Further more, those members of the ad-hoc committee who have skeletons in their cupboards should honourably resign in order to present the hunter becoming the hunted. Any past corrupt practice will be fertile ground for corrupt gladiator who know their dirty practices to fight against the probe.
The committee must also give the freedom of their hearing to all concerns. They must ensure that the recommendations of the report is not delayed and influenced by anyone.
Will anything good cone out of the Senate power sector probe? I will simply say wait and see.