Reps probe NBET’s operations from 2015 to date

The house of representatives has resolved to investigate the operations of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) from 2015 to date over allegations of fraud.

The green chamber said the probe is as a result of allegations of corruption levelled against the agency and Marilyn Amobi, its managing director.

This followed a motion introduced during Tuesday’s plenary session by Mohammed Wudil from Kano state, and 21 other lawmakers.

This is the second time the lawmakers are investigating the agency, having initiated a probe against NBET in April 2019.

The house said its committee of power has received such complaints against the agency since its inception.

It said in addition to such complaints, it is aware that various anti-graft agencies have at various times investigated the electricity company for alleged corruption and other sharp practices.

The, house, therefore, mandated three of its committees — power, financial crimes and anti-corruption — to investigate NBET’s activities and report back in two weeks.

The company was incorporated in 2010, with the role of purchasing electricity from the generating companies through power purchase agreements (PPAs) after which it sells to the distribution companies through vesting contracts.

Amobi has been in the limelight over allegations of abuse of office and maltreatment of whistleblowers at the agency but she denied the allegations.

In December, Sale Mamman, minister of power, asked the NBET MD to step down “with the view to restoring sanity in the management of the company”, but President Muhammadu Buhari overruled the minidter.