$500M world Bank electricity fund: SERAP flays approval, calls for publication of documents

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged the World Bank to release archival records and documents relating to spending on all approved funds to improve access to electricity in Nigeria between 1999 and 2020.

It also demanded it to show the bank’s role in the implementation of any funded electricity projects, identify and name any executed projects, and Nigerian officials, ministries, departments and agencies involved in the execution of such projects.

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The World Bank Board of Directors had last week approved $500 million to help boost access to electricity in Nigeria and improve the performance of the electricity distribution companies in the country.

In the application to World Bank President Mr David Malpass, dated February 6, 2021, signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged the Bank to explain the rationale for the approval of $500m to implement electricity projects in the country, despite reports of widespread and systemic corruption in the sector, and the failure of the authorities to enforce a court judgment ordering the release of details of payments to allegedly corrupt electricity contractors who failed to execute any projects.

SERAP said: “This application is brought pursuant to the World Bank’s Access to Information Policy, which aims to maximize access to information and promote the public good. There is a public interest in Nigerians knowing about the Bank’s supervisory role and specifically its involvement in the implementation of electricity projects, which it has so far funded.”

According to SERAP, “The $500m is part of the over $1billion available to Nigeria under the project titled: Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Program.

“We would be grateful for details of any transparency and accountability mechanisms under the agreement for the release of funds, including whether there is any provision that would allow Nigerians and civil society to…