Ex-NERC chairman Sam Amadi denies working against Aba power project

Dr Sam Amadi, the former chairman of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC has denied involvement in obstructing the completion of the Aba Independent Power Producer, IPP, project.

According to reports, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday inaugurated the 188 megawatts Aba-based Geometric Power Plant owned by the Former Minister of Power, Berthalome Nnaji.

This came 20 years after the project was initiated by Barth Nnaji.

Hours after the inauguration, a report titled ‘’The Dark Side of the Aba Power Project” accusing Sam Amadi of interrupting the project during his tenure as the NERC Chairman generated controversies on the internet.

However, reacting to the accusation in an interview on Friday, Amadi described the allegations as absolute falsehood, insisting that it was a deliberate effort to stain his integrity and public service records.

When asked, he said “That is an absolute falsehood and it is an insult to suggest I was beholden to Ayim Pius Ayim in doing my work as Chairman of NERC. As records show, in all circumstances, I acted on my understanding of what the law and facts require of me as a regulator.

”NERC’s responsibility was to provide regulations to support the privatization. The most important components of regulatory support are the evaluation of the assets of the various companies to be privatized and the preparation of tariffs.

“The article tried to stain my reputation by suggesting that I worked on behalf of Anyim and Emeka Offor to deny the completion of the Aba Power project.

“I’m sure Prof Bart Nnaji knows me so well. He cannot be part of this blatant lie because everyone in the power sector knows that I would rather resign than submit to the dictation of anyone outside NERC. I’m personally responsible for any decision I made as a NERC Chairman. No one pressured me to take any action that was wrong or self-serving.

“Nothing has been found against me since over 8 years that I left office, I have not done any work for any company in the electricity sector. I have not received one kobo from any company in the Nigerian electricity industry. I challenge anyone to contradict me on this claim”, he stated.

Amadi, however, dared anyone with evidence of financial or any other improprieties against him during his five years of stewardship in NERC to bring it forward or challenge him in court.

While congratulating the Abia Governor, Alex Otti and the people of the state, Amadi described the development as “the great achievement of the moment.”