SERAP queries NBET over $69m electricity supply to Benin

Adebayo Obajemu

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has demanded that the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, NBET, must give account of the $69.3million it reportedly collected for the supply of electricity to Benin Republic.

A report by the Auditor General of the Federation had shown that NBET collected over $69,384,699.20 for the supply of electricity to two firms that are based in Benin Republic but failed to account for the money.

The report also showed that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA reportedly paid over N1 billion for a new aircraft since 2010, but the aircraft has not been delivered to date; and also paid over N746 million to buy 26,106 bags of 50kg rice in 2017 and 2018 but failed to distribute the items to the people, until they expired and no longer fit for human consumption.

Asking NBET and NEMA to account for the money, SERAP on its X handle said, “The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company reportedly collected over $69 million [$69,384,699.20] for the supply of electricity to two firms that are based in Benin Republic” but failed to account for the money. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.

“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja reportedly paid over N746 million [N746,785,568.70] to buy 26,106 bags of 50kg rice in 2017 and 2018 but failed to distribute the items to the people until they expired. The Auditor-General wants the money refunded.

“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja reportedly paid over N113 million [N113,676,385.25] for food items and other relief materials but failed to distribute the items until they were no longer good for human consumption.

“We urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja to account for the over N1 billion [N1,054,222,576.00] reportedly paid to an Israeli-based company for a new aircraft in 2010 that was never delivered. We’ll hold NEMA to account if it fails to act,” SERAP tweeted.