By Fatima Ndagi
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has dismissed allegations of financial misconduct against the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), describing the claims as unsubstantiated and misleading.
The allegations, which were made by a civil society group, the Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA), accused NELMCO of questionable expenditures, including a controversial ₦94 million retreat, and queried the agency’s continued existence more than a decade after the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
But during a public hearing on Thursday, the Committee, led by Deputy Chairman Hon. Dabo Ismail, said it had conducted a rigorous review and found no evidence of wrongdoing.
“The documents submitted by NELMCO show it operates under the Nigerian Electricity Act, 2023, which legally mandates it to manage the liabilities and assets of the defunct PHCN and its successor companies,” Hon. Ismail clarified.
Responding to one of the most contentious issues—the ₦94 million spent on a five-day retreat in Lagos—NELMCO Managing Director, Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas, offered a detailed breakdown.
“This was not a jamboree,” she said.
“We had 25 key participants, including the DGs of the Debt Management Office and the Bureau for Public Procurement, along with my executive and non-executive directors. The money covered logistics, flights, accommodation, and feeding at the Intercontinental Hotel for five days.”
She also disclosed that the Minister of Power attended the entire retreat, adding credibility to its strategic value.
The Committee agreed. “₦94 million may look large on paper, but when you break it down, it is justifiable,” Hon. Ismail said.
“We verified the costs. A single room at Eko Signature Hotel is ₦650,000 per night. Multiply that by 25 people over five nights and you’re already looking at over ₦80 million—excluding meals and transport.”
Backing the agency’s position, Hon. Billy Osawaru emphasized that the spending was legally approved through the National Assembly’s appropriation process.
“Let’s not feign surprise. If the money was appropriated and backed by documents, then due process was followed,” he said.
“This isn’t about opinions; it’s about facts.”
The panel also debunked claims that NELMCO had secretly acquired office property in northern Nigeria.
“We found no evidence to support that claim,” Hon. Ismail said bluntly.
While clearing NELMCO, the Committee encouraged the petitioner, APPA, to come forward with any additional verifiable evidence, assuring that the door to public accountability remains open.
“We welcome civic oversight, but it must be backed by facts. If new, credible information emerges, we will act accordingly,” Hon. Ismail concluded.
The verdict marks a significant win for NELMCO, which has long battled public perception issues over its post-privatization role. For now, the agency walks away with its record intact—but the spotlight on public accountability burns brighter than ever.
