The recent discovery that N2 billion has been earmarked in Federal Government's Budget 2009 for maintenance and fuelling of power generating sets comes across as partial explanation for the half-heartedness exhibited by successive governments in the national effort toward stable supply.

It also explains why the authorities, especially between 1999 and 2008, hardly bothered about the criminal diversion of billions of dollars, voted for the purpose, into private pockets. With a dependable alternative source of power, provided through generating sets and diesel, decision-makers and those charged with oversight responsibilities have not felt any urgency in regard to expansion and rehabilitation of the national grid and remediation of deficiencies within the system.

The Presidency and National Assembly need to be reminded that the entire economy of this nation, driven by industry and related productive sectors that require stable power supply for sustainability of their operations, is under tremendous stress and fast approaching total collapse. Whereas their offices in Abuja could be easily lighted and equipment powered at no cost to their occupants, since the generating sets and fuel are provided from public funds, manufacturing firms and others in industry and research have been forced to scale down their operations and output or to shut down as a result of energy-related costs. Millions of Nigerians have lost their jobs and businesses in the past 10 years as companies adjust to remain in business or stop production.

How shrunken our productive capacity, and by extension, national economy, has become is evidenced by the chaos currently experienced at our seaports especially in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial and industrial capital, as thousands of containers have filled up available spaces and tens of ships, laden with goods of all description, have been unable to berth for weeks. Nigeria is today a huge market for goods manufactured in other parts of the world; its demand bolsters industrial production and creates jobs in other countries while its own economy shrinks.

That government has unabashedly placed itself within the ranks of corporate bodies and individuals that account for the estimated US$150 million spent by this country yearly on importation of generators is indeed most regrettable. The Presidency, National Assembly and Ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) ought to have been exemplary, living and operating strictly within available resources - in this case, within the amount of power available to the country - and demonstrating a firm commitment to enhanced output by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and or Independent Power Plants (IPPs). The examples of India and China, among others, where governments make it a policy for public functionaries to drive in locally made cars and consume goods manufactured locally, ought to have been emulated by our leaders, given the astonishing successes recorded by those countries.

It is not in the interest of this country for government to promote a culture of dependence that is fast gaining ground, as local capacity for power generation and crude oil refining continues to decline. Capital flight has long reached alarming proportions, both as a direct consequence of expenditure on the importation of generators and diesel and as a result of the relocation of investors from Nigeria to neighbouring countries. Besides, overdependence on other nations for such vital necessities as electricity and fuel has serious implications for national security.

The Presidency and National Assembly, charged with constitutional powers to provide Nigerians with good leadership, should have been bothered by the calamities that the dependence on power generating sets and petroleum products has caused so many families and corporate bodies, through explosions, fires and toxic fumes, over the years. Everywhere in our overcrowded homes and neighbourhoods, children and adults alike are seen with jerrycans of petrol for private generating sets that are carelessly placed and operated at all hours either for business centres or lighting of the homes. Exposure to the fumes has caused deaths all over the country, just as explosions and fires have resulted from careless handling. Government has a duty to protect the citizenry and should not be seen promoting a way of life that is inimical to public safety and equally injurious to the national economy.