The House Committee on Power has rejected the 2021 budget proposal for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Rep. Mogaji Aliyu, the Chairman of the Committee, turned down the proposal during the budget defence by TCN Managing Director, Mr Suleiman Abdulaziz, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The electricity transmission company proposed N165.8 billion for 2021 but the amount was reduced to N4 billion by the ministry.
Aliyu, however, said that the committee would not approve money for new projects when there were several previous projects left uncompleted by TCN.
“We cannot give you money to embark on new projects when there are several project you have not completed.
“Stopping TCN from embarking on new projects would allow it concentrate on old ones,” he said, adding that the committee would have no choice than to delete the 2021 proposed budget before it.
The lawmaker said that the problem in the electricity sector was disturbing, adding that the leadership of the National Assembly would have to be involved in efforts to get proper funding for TCN.
He stressed that without hitch-free electricity transmission, there would be no steady electricity supply for the citizens.
Earlier, Abdulaziz said that TCN proposed a budget of N165.8 billion in 2021 but it was reduced to N4 billion.
“Rising cost of projects, payment of benefits to communities, compensation and court cases, among others, are some of the hurdles confronting TCN,” he said.
Rep. Muhammad Wudil, a member of the committee, however, said that that TCN should not be allowed to start new projects until it had completed the outstanding ones.
