Reps to investigate mismanagement of green energy projects in MDAs

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged misplacement of green and renewable energy projects across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), amid concerns over poor implementation and possible waste of public funds.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance at Wednesday’s plenary, sponsored by Hon. Jesse Onuakalusi, who represents Oshodi/Isolo II Federal Constituency of Lagos State.

The lawmaker noted that the Federal Government, through its MDAs, has invested heavily in renewable energy initiatives aimed at expanding access to clean power, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable energy, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

However, he expressed concern that many of these projects — including solar mini-grids, wind farms, and other green energy schemes — have been wrongly domiciled in government entities lacking the technical expertise, statutory mandate, or professional capacity to execute or oversee them effectively.

Onuakalusi warned that this “misplacement or inappropriate domiciliation of projects” undermines the goals of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, leading to duplication of efforts, delayed timelines, and substandard or abandoned projects.

He added that such practices result in wastage of public funds and erosion of citizens’ trust in government programmes.

“The lack of due diligence and coordination in assigning these projects has caused inefficiency, weak monitoring, and poor value delivery, especially in rural electrification and public sector energy efficiency programmes,” he said.

He emphasized that proper management and placement of green energy projects within competent agencies such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) are essential for ensuring quality, accountability, and sustainability.

Onuakalusi further cautioned that continued mismanagement of renewable energy initiatives could jeopardize Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and the Paris Climate Agreement, with serious implications for environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Following deliberations, the House mandated its Committee on Renewable Energy to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the domiciliation of renewable and green energy projects across MDAs.

The committee is to assess compliance with due process, capacity requirements, and statutory mandates, as well as identify instances of mismanagement or underperformance arising from poor project placement.

The House also directed the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Bureau of Public Procurement to ensure that future green energy projects are assigned only to agencies with the legal authority and technical capacity to handle them.

Additionally, it urged the Federal Ministry of Power and the Energy Commission of Nigeria to create a clear framework for inter-agency coordination and delineation of responsibilities in renewable energy implementation, and to report back to the House Committee on Renewable Energy within four weeks.

Lawmakers also proposed an urgent amendment to the Electric Power Sector Reform Act to align the country’s legislative framework with Nigeria’s renewable and green energy goals.