The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating Nigeria’s power sector reforms from 2007 to 2024 has summoned the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and top officials of key water agencies over prolonged delays and inconsistencies in the 40MW Dadin-Kowa hydropower project.
The Committee Chairman, Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, issued the summons after the concessionaire, Mabon Generating Company, revealed operational gaps and bottlenecks during a presentation at the National Assembly.
Those ordered to appear on 4 December 2025 include the Managing Directors of the Upper Benue and Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin Development Authorities, the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, and all signatories to the 2005 concession and subsequent addendum.
Aliyu said nearly 20 years into the 25-year BOT concession, the project has suffered delays, unclear agency responsibilities and approval challenges, despite the concessionaire initially declaring the facility fit for generation. He questioned whether both the company and supervising authorities exercised proper due diligence.
The committee also demanded the appraisal report that led to the project’s addendum, along with performance assessments, generation data and payment records.
Mabon Generating Company said it has delivered over 700 million kWh to the national grid since 2021 without receiving grants or federal loans. Its COO, Umar Shehu Hashidu, reaffirmed the company’s cooperation with the investigation and submitted all requested documents.
Meanwhile, the Presidency said the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) aims to close Nigeria’s seven-million-meter deficit and reduce the electricity sector’s high losses.
Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen, represented by PMI Director Obafemi Sotebo, said the initiative is expected to cut ATC&C losses from about 45–50% to between 12–15% by ending estimated billing and expanding smart metering nationwide.