It is no longer news that the power sector in Nigeria is sick! In fact, it has been bedridden for donkey years. Finally, last Wednesday’s eccentric show of the ‘power gods’ tickled, thereby provoking fast response from the government. But the question really is; how sensitive was that to our already inundated minds, bodies, souls and economy as a nation?
The 24 hours shut down which affected business activities, thus putting up a lot of discomfort here and there is said to be an offshoot of government’s failure to pay monetization arrears plus other entitlements promised energy workers since July. The modalities finally reached between both groups afterward, ended the shame which had sold-out some of the many issues bedeviling the nation.
How sad, that we now live in times of inadequacies coupled with bad leadership. True to predictions; we cast the first stone as led. But funny how time flies and situations place us in room to act wise but instead, we choose foolish, suppressing our very own. Without much guessing any longer, we now know where the problems lie. And that is in our national attitude to obliging self quest to the discomforts of others. We have all been nothing but insensitive overtime!
The nation-wide power strike, rendered businesses unproductive, and with great cost implications too. The entire country, like always anyway, ran on noisy diesel generator sets. The attending risks are there health wise, but it appears no one cares. This is a lesson if not an embarrassment to the government already. Alternative power investor groups should begin to liaise with the leadership to curtail such acts in future, especially as it would put an end to such monopoly like PHCN.
Nevertheless, the much talked about power sector reform road map has now been initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan. For once, it appears the script to enabling the economy to productive tendency is finally written. No thanks to the painful, choking and maybe ‘necessary contributions’ of PHCN workers.
And come to think of it, one may ask, what precisely is this guy offering in this so–called map that the fathers before him never offered? Is it sincerity, or purpose, or what really?
The Executive move, we hear, is about a reposition of the power sector, to get it back on track ahead of the strategic goals and new discipline, especially after the nation wide black out on Wednesday 25 August 2010. That aside, as Nigerians from all walks of life, home and abroad, we can only hope it’s feasible and not again, fraudulent.
Meanwhile, industry watchers are concerned that the government may not have the all-decisive political and moral will to deliver its promises especially where similar moves in the past did not achieve set out targets which Nigerians at that time, welcomed with open arms. There have also been questions raised in doubt of the processes involved in choice of groups to handle power distribution and transmission.
In response to this during an interview on Channels Television at the weekend, the Special Adviser to the President on power, renowned Prof. Barth Nnaji confirmed that a bidding process was in place for the distribution and generation of power. He revealed that one Power Grid company based in India and a couple of other groups have tendered offers for the project. Thank God for that.
Still emphasizing on the incontestable sovereignty of the Federal government to control over allotment, and in terms of credibility to guarantee purchasing power in the sector, Prof. Barth somewhat blamed the inability of the sector to sustain and function, especially where government ministries, agencies and notably the military, who ought to lend support, instead chose to owe the Power Company huge bills regardless of provisions made in their budgets for power.
Such problems facing the sector he also confirmed will have to be addressed decisively, especially as the President is committed to putting appropriate measures in place to tackle the power problems within all perspectives.
Now, this is where we must all be concerned too, if we are to avoid a nationwide repeat of Wednesday 25 August 2010. Nigerians must contribute their own quota to sustaining the power system by being responsive to simple civic duties as paying up light bills. The government should also consider these misgivings Nigerians have towards her ‘sincerity’ to approach issues head-on, as a challenge, and prove doubting Thomases wrong for once at least.
We lament the recurring scenario where specialized and service based groups continue to hold the nation to ransom each time a need is sought. This recklessness should be looked into sooner than later so as to effectively restore sanity to public service once more. Strikes should not always be used as a tool for rocking the government off its high horse, especially when it’s obvious that the poor instead, will end up in the marsh of every bargain. They are always the worse hit by these prides!
To the ordinary people, whatever it takes to give Nigerians support will be welcomed especially as electricity in adequate supply, will not only show government as supportive of every development-driven ideas but will further help aid the economy of the nation and lives of the common man in particular.





















