Obasanjo denies power corruption


Olusegun Obasanjo said the probe could scare off potential investors



Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied any responsibility for the failure of the countrys power generation industry.
In a 5000 word written submission to a parliamentary investigation panel he said his administration had increased the amount of power generated.
He denied any personal responsibility for the corruption the panel said it had found in the industry.
The panel said $16bn had been spent without improving power supply.
Mr Obasanjo declined the panels invitation to appear in person.
Many Nigerians rely on personal petrol-fuelled generators and a huge number live without any power at all.
Large industry has been virtually destroyed by the poor power supply.
The House of Representatives investigation alleged that Mr Obsanjos government had paid millions of dollars to 34 "non-existent companies".
The committee visited the sites where power stations were meant to be built.
It found no work had been done at some sites after several years.
Denials
Defending his record Mr Obasanjo said his government had inherited 18 years of neglect in the power generation industry and had done well to more than double power supply.
To "the uninitiated" it would seem like no work had been done on the power stations but the reality was that millions of dollars had been "invested" he said .
But he said the investigation into the power sector may actually hamper improvement and jeopardise Nigerias development. Private partners were being chased away by the probe because they feared being "criminalised". The former president also said the figure spent on building power stations was much lower than the $16bn the panel claimed.