Kenneth Udeh,Abuja
The Senate Wednesday reinstated its commitment at ensuring the improvement in the Nation’s power sector through massive rural electrification. The Senate made this known in Abuja during the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) workshop held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
In an opening remark delivered by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who represented the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan at the workshop , commended the agency’s initiative for engaging the national assembly in its activities.
Senator Lawan, expressed that the move would forster synergy between the legislative and the executive arm of Government for effective service delivery to the nation.
He said ” This initiative is most welcomed considering your collaboration with the National Assembly, on how best to deliver on your mandate.
It underscores the point we have been making about fostering a synergy between arms and agencies of government, not only for a better understanding of our activities but also for effective service delivery, for the good of our nation.
Your interest in engaging with the National Assembly through our relevant committees is a step in the right direction. It is an inroad to the larger house, and a way to grow knowledge on your mission and vision before legislators.
The Senate also pointed out that despite the challenges in the nation’s power sector; the current administration won’t relent in its efforts at providing electricity infrastructure in the entire country.
It should also help in stimulating information on your schedules ahead of the imminent commencement of work on the 2021 Budget.
This involvement and inclusivity is about collaboration and listening to a range of thoughts and notions on the decisions we would make. It is the reason our doors are always open for cooperation for enhanced decision, aside from reflecting our diverse backgrounds and exposures.
In engaging the National Assembly, the electrification agency has stepped on the path of success, trusting in the eventual productivity of the workshop.
Your agency is somewhat saddled with the overreaching task of ensuring the overall electrification of Nigeria, through integrating rural areas, and more. The essence of this again underlines the importance of electricity in national development.
Without power, economic activities are bound to be stagnated. Power is therefore the pivot around which economic and several other activities revolve.
Because of these, conversations around the delivery of power would have to be sustained until we arrive at the desired destination which is not only the complete electrification of the country but ensuring that power supply is constant.
I agree that we have challenges, but we cannot rest on our oars, if we have to surmount the challenges. This workshop is one more appropriate step towards dealing with our challenges, and the reason we must approach it with all the seriousness it deserves.
Be rest assured that the Senate and the National Assembly will be ready to provide all reasonable support, further to the achievement of your goals. Our relevant committees are on ground to provide firsthand information which also serves as an additional assurance on our readiness to cooperate.
