By Adewale Sanyaolu

The Federal Government has ordered investigation into the immigration status of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the nation’s biggest power station, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Dallas Peavey.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated this at the 19th Power Sector Stakeholders Meeting in Lagos yesterday.

The Minister alleged that Peavey came into the country on August 17 without a record of issuance on arrival, an offence punishable under the law.

Fashola disclosed that he has directed that the matter be referred to the Immigration Department for advice on his legal status vis-à-vis a valid visa and work permit, adding that he expects that appropriate action will be taken.

‘‘As if these were not enough, my attention has been brought to allegations that Peavey is inciting other Gencos to refuse to comply with grid codes and regulations made pursuant to the Electric Sector Power Reform Act of 2005 prescribing frequency levels of operation for power generating companies.

“While we do not know why Peavey is acting contrary to our national interest, we also know that he has been in and out of Nigeria and came in on August 17, 2017 without a record of visa issuance on arrival.

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“I have directed that his matter be referred to the Immigration Department for advice on his legal status vis-à-vis a valid visa and work permit. I expect that appropriate action will be taken.

“Let me say to Mr. Peavey and other non-Nigerians that your partnership is welcome, your stay will be peaceful and your rights to free speech are guaranteed. But our laws must be respected because we will enforce them,’’ he said.

Recall that Peavey had on August 30, while receiving some Senators from the United States of America at its power plant in Egbin, Lagos, told the visiting lawmakers that the Federal Government was indebted to the firm to the tune of N125 billion.

But Fashola said what Peavey didn’t tell the visiting lawmakers was how the N125 billion debts were made up.

The Minister equally said that Peavey failed to tell his visitors that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) debts owed to Discos had been verified and instead of claims in excess of N90 billion submitted as owed by the Federal Government, only about N27 billion has been established by verification.

The Minister said government has approved a payment assurance guarantee for all power produced to the grid and that some payments have been made and others are being processed as reported at the Kano meeting and the Abuja meeting in July 2017.

He stated that the Ministry of Finance has announced a programme to issue promissory notes for inherited debts subject to Parliamentary approval.