POWER STABILITY IN NIGERIA

SCENIC SCENARIOS: THE WAY FORWARD (1)
Personally, I don’t take promise(s) for granted. That is why I succeeded in coming up with this edition. Remember, in my previous edition on unemployment before I did something on ‘birthday anniversary celebration’ which I tagged as a welcome phenomenon, I promise that, I would introduce separate editions that would discuss the power and education sectors. Henceforth, we shall not be discussing only the aforementioned sectors, but, inclusive of other sectors that also require urgent attention if the vision 20:20:20 in Nigeria must be a reality. So, this and subsequent editions shall lay emphases on the six major sectors that ought to be considered by the Nigerian government with the aim of solving the on-going socio-economic and political crises in the country. Each of them (the editions) shall emphasize on the steps, or remedial approach to be taken to ensure that, the lingering problem(s) in each of the six sectors is/are duly solved. The challenges that await the government while taking any of them (the steps) were foreseen and tagged by the columnist/writer ‘as unavoidable’ if the noble dream of the nation must be actualized.

Thus, this and the subsequent edition(s) shall be discussing power, health, education, refineries, security and labour respectively. So, in this edition, we shall be discussing ‘power’ exclusively and extensively just as I promised earlier; in my previous edition.

Brethren, in any context the above term, power, is being used, either physical, spiritual, economic, or electrical, it will continue to be one of the most fundamental aspects of human existence or struggle. But, in this edition, we’re only interested in its electrical context, and our nightmare is on its instability.

Electrical power or electricity has been the most fundamental/primary aspect of any economic development. Thus, its instability remains a worthwhile case study in any developmental struggle.
For over the years, lack of power stability has been a nasty cankerworm in the nation’s socio-economic growth. And, its eradication remains an enormous task or a nightmare to any political leader(s). On this note, the country has remained in absolute darkness, both physically and economically since her independence. For such barrier to be thrown to the waste bin, there is a certain step that must be taken/considered by the government; this single step, as stated below, should be adhered to by the present administration to ascertain steady and efficient power stability. Privatization: This is the act of selling government owned firm(s) to an individual or group of persons due to one of two reasons in the interest of the government, and of the public. Sometimes, it could be due to lack of fund requires for the maintenance (management) of the company in question. On the other hand, it could be for the aim of actualizing more adequate/effective functioning of the company thereby ensuring greater output.

The devastating condition of power supply in Nigeria that seems immutable requires this measure. The existing Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) should be totally sold to any interested individual or group, so that, the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity would be carried out by the private owner instead of having access to only ‘distribution’ which is the case in the present (on-going) situation/era. Also, an embargo should be lifted by the government allowing other potential investors, indigenous or foreign, to participate in the sector, thereby creating competition or ascertaining a competitive market set-up in the sector rather than the existing monopolistic system.
Just a few years ago, a similar step was taken in the telecommunication sector by the past administration led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and it worked. Honestly, once there’s a competition in any market system, the optimum target of each concerned investor remains how to be at the peak. Because, such position will automatically attract larger number of clients. Thus, such practice (competition) will definitely lead to efficiency.

So, the issue of constant power failure in Nigeria does not actually require the involvement or practice of technocracy, rather, a costless and intensely worthwhile measure such as the aforementioned tool (privatization). Even if you’re suffering from squint, with your basic knowledge in economics/commerce, you can easily see beyond my humble imagination.

Adversely, this measure is likely to yield a high cost of services. But, this shouldn’t be a nightmare to the government, because, once this objective is actualized, every individual irrespective of his/her status will be willing and able to afford the bills/charges. Yes, because adequate and steady power supply will ascertain high productivity which shall lead to greater and tremendous supply of goods and services thereby reducing the prices of commodities to their barest minimum. It’s not a magic; it’s social-science. Therefore, I’m speaking socio-scientifically.

Apart from the above reason, there are some other factors that would ascertain the willingness, readiness and ability of the consumers to comply with the charge that shall accompany the electricity supply. Those factors are painstakingly stated below.

Industrialization: As soon as steady power supply is actualized, there would be massive participation of private (individual) investors in establishment of industries/firms across the federation. And, this will create an avenue for immense job opportunities, and as well, high productivity of goods and services. In addition, the era of bad road network would be a thing of the past, because, the industrialists/investors will leave no stone unturned to ensure that, any road network affecting the location of their respective investments is duly addressed. On this note, there will be adequate transportation system. In a nut shell, industrialization will definitely yield high job opportunities, and as well, productivity, good road network, and effective transport services (system). And, other social amenities such as steady water supply will also be ascertained. Brethren, these features will drastically showcase a developed society (economy).

Commercial agriculture: Our land is already blessed/enriched with abundant minerals and nutrients, and there are numerous available raw-materials that can be used for unlimited cultivation. Our only problem remains mechanization. Even if there’re sufficient machines, their performances can never be effective without a reliable power supply.

Once adequate power supply and good road network are sustained, or injected into the system, potential commercial agriculturists will definitely emerge, and set up their respective farms. This practice will also attract massive job opportunities and high availability of goods and services which shall subsequently reduce the prices of commodities in our various markets.

So, indulgence in commercial farming is one of the gate ways require for drastic poverty alleviation in Nigeria, or any other developing nation. Self – reliance / Entrepreneurship: Apart from the establishment of large scale industries/companies by individual investors, there will also be immense location of small and medium scale firms by several citizens/individuals across the federation, because, right from time, Nigerians are already blessed with such propensity. And, this will surely yield a society/country where over seventy five percent (75%) of its occupants are self-reliant (entrepreneurs) or employers of labour. Think about it!

Don’t forget, next edition shall be on ‘health’. So prepare yourself.

COMR. FRED NWAOZOR
Social analyst & activist
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frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348099250401