The Senate has directed its Committee on Power to investigate the activities of power generating and distribution companies (GenCos) with a view to unraveling the cause of unsteady power supply in the country.


The resolution of the Senate followed the consideration of a motion titled: Addressing Nigeria’s power problems sponsored by the member representing Enugu North, Chief Chukwuka Utazi.


He noted that Nigeria, with a population of two hundred million and an annual growth rate of two point six per cent, is the seventh most populous nation on earth.


According to him, the power generating or installed capacity of Nigeria in relation to its population and Gross Domestic Product GDP, cannot place the country to compete favourably in terms of development with other nations.


He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to find solutions to the power deficits faced by the country.
Citing Indonesia and Philippines as examples, the lawmaker noted that both countries with a population of two hundred and sixty-seven and one hundred and seven million, respectively, have installed power capacity of sixty thousand megawatts and generating capacity of forty-two thousand four hundred and sixty-five Megawatts as well as installed capacity of twenty thousand and fifty-five Megawatts and generating capacity of sixteen thousand two hundred and seventy-one Megawatts.