Senate rejects Buhari’s nominee as NERC Chairman

Tuesday, January 10, 2017 1:45 pm

Senate Chambers

The Senate upon resumption from its three weeks recess on Tuesday rejected the nomination of Akintunde Akinwande, as the chairman of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The nomination of Akinwande, a professor based in the United States of America was rejected following his inability to attend his confirmation hearing. The Senate however confirmed Mr Sanusi Garba as the Vice Chairman, North West of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

This followed screening of Garba and the commissioners and their subsequent presentation by Chairman Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe.

The commissioners, who were confirmed by the senate, are Mr Nathan Shatti, representing North East, Dr Moses Arigu, representing North Central and Mr Dafe Akpeneve, representing South-South.

Others are Prof. Frank Okafor, representing South East and Dr Musilliu Oseni, representing South West.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki congratulated the vice chairman and the commissioners for their confirmation to serve in one of the critical sectors of the economy.

He urged them to put in their best to tackle the challenges bedeviling the sector.

“I hope they will live up to expectation in providing solution to the power problem in the country.

“They are being confirmed at a time when their services are needed the most.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NERC is a statutory agency mandated to monitor and regulate the power industry, issue licences as well as ensure compliance with market rules.

It was inaugurated in 2005 as provided in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005. (NAN)