Dino Melaye Accuses Power Ministry Of $385 Million Fraud

Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, on Thursday, accused the Ministry of Power, Work and Housing of “monumental fraud”  of $385 million.

Melaye alleged that the Ministry, which is headed by Babatunde Fashola, of squandering the sum on projects not appropriated in the budget between 2013 and 2016.

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He said, “Mr. President, in line with the anti-corruption posture of this chamber and especially now that our cries, observations are yielding dividends as expressly manifested in the case of Babachir Lawal, today, I bring to the attention of this Senate a monumental fraud in the power sector.

“In July 2013, the federal Government raised $1 billion from Eurobond issue. From the proceeds, $350 million was given to IBEX in 2014.

“Mr. President, this money was stolen in installments. As I speak to you, sometimes last year again, the Ministry of Power came up with a term they call fast power. This indigested project is supposed to build new generating plants to add power to our grid.”

“Mr President, there are few questions we need to ask and that is why I need the nod of the Senate to bring a substantive motion to move in the next legislative day.

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“These are the few questions: Up to date, there is no detail to build this new generating plant or a feasibility study, there is no appropriation by the National Assembly for these projects.

“The Ministry has spent so far $35 million on the Afam fast power project that has no appropriation or feasibility studies. How and when was this money appropriated, we need to find out. Out of this money, $29 million was purportedly paid to General Electric for turbines while $6 million was paid to others.

“These, among many other monumental frauds, are taking place. We need the Senate to investigate this.”

Senate President Bukola Saraki asked Melaye to present the issue as a motion on Tuesday after a voice vote in its favour.

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