A group of policy analysts, under the aegis of Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA), has kicked against alleged moves by the Senate to withhold the approval of funding for the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing as presented in the 2018 budget proposal.
The EEP comprises of a N10bn solar project which seeks to provide solar electricity to the 37 federal universities in the country with a view to enhancing the standard of Nigeria’s education system through the supply of steady power.
However, the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe last week lampooned the project during the Ministry of Power’s budget defense last week.
Abaribe had said: “there is a better way to deploy the funds if the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had N10 billion to ‘play round’ with.”
But during a protest rally on Thursday by the policy analyst, the group’s National President, Princewill Okorie, urged Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Hose of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, to ensure that the solar electrification project gets necessary legislative approvals.
He maintained that the solar project, in the long run, will reduce cost of generating electricity for activities carried out by the universities and also benefit the nation at large.
Okorie said: “We appreciate the ability of solar electricity to provide regular uninterrupted power supply in university environment which shall enhance illumination, academic and progressive engagements, while dispelling darkness which promote nefarious activities on campus.
“It is our duty as Nigerians to advocate for policies that will enhance the well-being of Nigerians by drawing attention of the National Assembly members to issues that will be favourable and patriotic without bias or personal interest.
“Audit of electricity provision cost in the bnations’s universities will show that the amount of money spent on purchase of diesel, fuel, and generators in a year will be close to N10bn being proposed by the Federal Ministry of Power for solar energy for the 37 universities in the 2018 federal budget.
“Consequent upon the above, we request that the most revered Huse of Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should resolve whaterver ambiguities associated the budegte and approve the funding of Energizing Education Programme which has the proposed provision of solar energy in 37 universities in the country for the benfit of Nigerian youths and students.”
Comments