12 June 2007
editorial
Lagos — The other day in Abuja, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua gave stakeholders in the Nigerian Energy sector a marching order: Enhance the supply of electricity immediately or risk the declaration of state of emergency. Rightly so. If there is any aspect of national life that needs urgent, combative attention, it is power.
The president displayed a good understanding of this embarrassing condition at the forum when he addressed the leadership of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) and some other relevant organisations.
His verdict: "We must solve this problem because until we do that, we cannot address the fundamental problems of our economy like poverty and unemployment... We will partner with the private sector and put in as much investment as we should. You people better be ready to come up with your plans before I declare a state of emergency in the sector. Because, once I do, I will take no excuses."
Tough pronouncement, no doubt. But Nigerians would not be impressed by that command. Reason: After eight years of endless, unfulfilled promises by the immediate past government to overcome the perennial light problem, despite the enormous resources committed to the sector, electricity consumers have continued to be inundated only with stories of so-called giant strides in the generation segment of the power industry, without commensurate output. Two years ago, after the unbunbling of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), the people were told that its successor, PHCN, would superintend the privatisation process that would fast-track the nation's quest for adequate energy generation, transmission and distribution.
Unfortunately, however, by the end of the government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo last month, power supply had degenerated further. And the explanations often advanced by the authorities revolve around the vandalisation of gas pipelines in the Niger Delta and the water level at hydro-electric dams. No matter how true these alibis are, they are not tenable, considering the magnitude of damage already done both to the country's macro-economy and the socio-economic advancement of individuals and groups.
Not long ago, for instance, Michelin, one of Nigeria's big corporate players, closed its operations in the country. The only reason was its inability to continue to bear the cost of energy. With that closure alone went thousands of jobs. Countless similar tales of institutional failure abound in the country today with all the sad consequences. But the big companies are not alone in this drama of incapacitation. Medium and small scale enterprises have also either gone under or are simply struggling to survive. Apart from the productive sector, the provision of basic social amenities is also hampered by the nation's comatose energy profile.
It is indeed unfortunate that at a time when many countries have gone beyond meeting domestic energy requirements to becoming key movers of globalisation, Nigeria has fallen ridiculously below even the meagre self-imposed target of 10,000 megawatts. The only way to reverse this despicable state of power supply is to convert the sternness of President Yar'Adua's directive to meaningful action. The fact that the new Number One citizen has issued a threat in that direction implies government's acceptance of under-achievement in this critical area. But stopping at merely issuing warnings would be unaccetptable. The Nigerian people are fed up with pleas for patience with energy's gestation period to mature. The country should not remain the largest importer of generators. This regrettable situation, apart from the cost implication, throws up grave environmental challenges.
So, the government should be more innovative than its predecessors if it must achieve better results. We wonder why the solar option has not been explored by successive administrations, even when it has proved to be relatively more affordable, effective and environment-friendly in other places.
Nigerians have borne the weight of darkness for too long. Urgent policy articulation should be carried out to salvage this collective shame and pain. And the time to act is now!
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