Senate Approves World Bank Loan for Edo State.
The Plenary session of the Senate on Thursday, August 13, 2015 considered and approved a $75 million World Bank Loan for Edo State and also passed a Motion on the Disconnection of Maiduguri from the National Grid and the General Power Disconnection in Nigeria.
The $75 million World Bank loan approval was sequel to the presentation of the Report of Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Local and Foreign Debts led by Sen. Kabiru Gaya for consideration.
According to Sen. Gaya, the Edo State Development Policy Operation ii Credit Facility of $75 million from the World Bank would be used for infrastructural development, he stated that so far only Lagos and Edo have qualified for the credit facility having met the strict World Bank criteria. He added that the credit facility would be used to finance various projects in the state in the health, education and environment sectors most especially in the control of gully erosion.
Though, Senator Mathew Orhoghide opposed the request based on the position of his constituents (Edo South), the request was however put on voice vote by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and it ultimately passed.
A Motion on the Disconnection of Maiduguri from National Grid and the General Power Disconnection in Nigeria, sponsored by the Senate Leader, Sen. Muhammed Ali Ndume was deliberated upon and passed with five Resolutions that include:
1) Urge the President to direct the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to immediately reconnect Maiduguri to the National Grid.
2)Set up an Ad-hoc Committee to carry out a holistic investigation on the management of the funds appropriated for power sectors since 1999; and the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)
3)Strongly condemn the inability of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to provide continuous and uninterrupted power supply to all parts of the country.
4) Direct the Army to clear the areas to enable TCN carry out connection to National Grid.
5) Direct the Federal Government to complete the Mambila Power Project.
Also, the Senate has set up an Ad-hoc Committee on Aviation led by Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to investigate a Motion brought before the Chamber on “The Worrisome and Unstable Position of Nigeria Aviation Industryâ€, sponsored by Sen. Bala Ibn Na Allah.
Meanwhile, the Senate observed a minute silence in honour of late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.