I never opposed the development of the Aba power plant, said Sam Amadi
Sam Amadi, the former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has refuted claims that he was involved in impeding the Aba power project’s completion.
Sam Amadi: I never opposed the development of the Aba power plant
Twenty years after former Minister of Power Barth Nnaji had first proposed the project, President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, launched the Geometric Power Plant in Aba on Monday, according to prior reports from Vanguard.
But in the middle of the celebration, Sam Amadi was accused by a media report titled “The Dark Side of the Aba Power Project” of being involved in the interruption of what is currently one of the most well-liked and successfully completed projects in the South East and all of Nigeria in his capacity as the former Chairman of NERC.
The story also described how some politicians were supposed to irritate Bart Nnaji and Aba Power.
A portion of the report states: “Sam Amadi, the Chairman and CEO of NERC, was beholding to Anyim, while Offor, the person obstructing the project, had Ayim Pius Anyim, the government secretary, in his pocket.”
However, Sam Amadi responded to this in a statement made available to the media on Wednesday in Abuja. He called the report a conspiracy and a calculated attempt to damage his reputation, adding that the author omitted any action he or NERC had taken that would have benefited Emeka Offor and negatively affected Bart Nnaji.
“How can the head of an agency that wrote such a report be accused of conspiring against the Aba Power project without any other contrary evidence?” he said. Naturally, the addition of the word “beholding to Anyim” in that competition was done to damage my reputation.
The way my name was subtly brought up as a Pius Ayim stooge is an attempt to portray me as less truthful than he claims to be. The attempt to tarnish my reputation for integrity and public service is intentional.
“I have always treasured my integrity in serving the Nigerian public. I’ve issued a challenge to anyone with proof of any financial or other irregularities against me during my five years as NERC’s steward to come forward. In reality, I have requested multiple times to have any financial or other irregularities thoroughly investigated.
“I’ve been out of the office for more than 8 years, and nobody has questioned me about anything. I will fight for my reputation and integrity with all of my might and blood. I am very proud of who I am. It is my duty to dispel this myth and provide the real story of my involvement in the Aba Power project as someone who has developed and upheld a reputation for veracity, honesty, and integrity and who values my track record of spotless public service.
“Notably, despite the author’s account, neither NERC nor I had a significant influence on the agreement between Bart Nnaji and the federal government, nor on the sale of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).” We made it quite evident that our function as regulators is regulatory, not transactional.
These are verifiable facts that can be compared to NERC records. I implore anyone who has any reservations about my account of events to file a FOIA request and carefully review the minutes of the NERC management and regulatory meetings. As I consistently declare when it comes to honesty and due process, I will willingly serve a prison sentence if there is any proof that I ever met with someone or did anything that goes against what I have said here.
“Permit me to clarify. A charge leveled against me is that, as a regulator, I was fiercely independent and disregarded input from parties outside of NERC when making decisions. It is common knowledge in the power industry that I would prefer to step down rather than follow orders from anyone outside of NERC. As I’ve stated previously, I take full responsibility for every choice I made in my capacity as NERC Chairman. I have previously released President Jonathan and everyone else from responsibility for choices taken by NERC. Nobody coerced or compelled me to do anything immoral or self-serving.
“I am pleased that, in the more than eight years since I resigned as NERC Chairman, no evidence has been found against me. I haven’t worked for any electricity-related companies since then. I withdrew myself from receiving any benefits from the industry well in excess of the two years that the Act stipulates for me to do so. From any company in the Nigerian electricity industry, I have not received a single kobo. I defy anyone who disputes this assertion.
“The story attempted to damage my reputation by implying that I assisted Anyim and Emeka Offor in postponing or obstructing the Aba Power project’s completion. As the aforementioned data demonstrate, that is a complete lie. To say that, in carrying out my duties as Chairman of NERC, I was beholding to Ayim Pius Ayim is an insult. Records demonstrate that I always acted in accordance with my understanding of what was required of me as a regulator by the law and the facts.
Ironically, Anyim Pius Anyim himself was the one who first told me that President Jonathn had urged, “Please let everyone let Sam do his work.” Let’s have a man of integrity and bravery who wouldn’t give up to anyone for once. I take pride in having upheld that integrity during my time at NERC. Prof. Bart Nnaji must know me really well. He cannot and will not be a part of this egregious falsehood.
“Although I must refute the untrue statement made against me, it shouldn’t overshadow this amazing accomplishment right now. The start of the Aba Power project is evidence of Prof. Bart Nnaji’s tenacity and dedication. For Governor Alex Otti and the people of Abia, this is fortunate as they work to elevate Aba to the status of Nigeria’s industrial hub. Nigeria can now do it more effectively and quickly thanks to the Aba Power project.
