Opinion I On Power Spending And Way Forward

DISSECTING THE CONTROVERSIAL POWER SECTOR

          

On Tuesday, 22^nd May 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari while speaking to members of the Buhari Support Organization (BSO) led by the Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali who called on him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, reechoed that the erstwhile president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo expended about $16 billion on the power project without anything to show for it.

        

 It would be recalled that the said allegation has been in the public sphere for over a decade now, though had been strongly refuted by the accused person. Piqued by the epileptic power situation, Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, on assumption of office in 2007, lamented that the government under Chief Obasanjo squandered about $10 billion on the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) with little or no effect. He alleged that, on power sector alone, the administration of the former president spent a total of $16bn.

          

Nevertheless, it was gathered that late president Yar’Adua’s administration expended $5.375bn on power, whilst his immediate successor Dr. Goodluck Jonathan spent $8.26 billion. In a nutshell, the country, within the years in review, reportedly spent about a whopping sum of $29.635bn only on a quest for steady power supply.

         

The bitter truth remains that Nigeria has expended funds amounting to trillions of naira on the power sector within the last nineteen years. But rather than dwelling on our failure, or apportioning blames, it’s imperative for the country to henceforth concentrate on the way forward.

        

The Nigeria’s power sector is presently yearning for rescue that if drastic measure isn’t taken, soonest the country won’t only reckoned to be synonymous with blackout but a place invariably used as a case-study whenever non-electricity supply is being discussed.

          

It’s indeed worrisome to acknowledge that in spite of the intimidating size of the acclaimed giant of Africa, both in landmass and population, she’s currently struggling toward boasting of steady seven thousand megawatts (7,000MW) of electricity supply, whereas nations like Ghana, South-Africa, Iran, and South-Korea, among others alike, that aren’t up to 60 million people on the average, presently boast of over fifty thousand megawatts (50,000MW). Such a shocking phenomenon calls for thorough and candid examination in the said sector.

        

During the past administrations, Chief Obasanjo’s particularly, the Power Reform Act was introduced, which was aimed at boosting electricity supply. In addition, the then existing National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was changed to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) owing to concession. In furtherance of the motive, the NIPP was equally initiated.

          

It would be recalled that during Dr. Jonathan’s reign, the distribution section/phase of the power sector was totally deregulated, thereby leading to Public-Private Partnership (PPP); a measure that Nigerians thought would salvage the power industry.

        

It’s worth noting that the power sector comprises three major sections (phases) namely: the generation, transmission, and distribution sections. These three phases collectively contribute to the production of the two hundred and twenty Alternating-Current Voltage (AC220V) required by electricity consumers in Nigeria.

         

Despite all these measures, rather than improving, the country’s power sector remains in a comatose state, or even deteriorates on a daily basis. The various distribution firms, instead of concentrating on how to serve the teeming consumers, end up compounding the already existing plight. At the moment, an electricity consumer in Nigeria, regardless of locality, would be faced with a utility bill even though he never enjoyed any power supply in the past; one might wonder where such bill was fabricated.

           

The problem with the Nigerian power sector remains lack of technical know-how cum initiative as well as decay in maintenance culture. Most times, the personnel at the generation phase would inform Nigerians that the supply of gasoline has depreciated due to pipeline vandalism. Suchlike report is ridiculous and laughable in a country like ours that can boast of so many sources of electricity generation in abundance. Frankly, over-dependence on mono-source is really telling on the Nigerian economy at large, not just in the power sector.

          

A few of the country’s mineral resources alone, such as coal and what have you can generate enormous electricity required by the overall Nigerians. Similarly, biomass and wind-power, which are renewable and reliable energy sources – if properly harnessed – can generate electricity that can serve the entire Nigerian population. Biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat, or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel. Its conversion to biofuel can be achieved by different methods broadly classified into chemical, thermal, and biochemical methods.

          

Besides, why is solar energy in abeyance? Most western countries that cannot boast of a steady fifteen degree Celsius (15*C) depend mainly on solar energy as regards power supply let alone Nigeria that can steadily boast of over thirty degree Celsius (30*C). The country abounds with the four energy sources mentioned so far; but pathetically, the resources are lying fallow. The government needs to create an industry that would produce the required facilities; the proposed approach cannot be actualized without lifting embargo on PPP.

           

Above all, considering the ongoing power generation via turbine or hydro-plants, there’s compelling need for the government to decentralize the transmission grid. Rather than sustaining the national grid, since it’s obvious that such sustenance is cumbersome, each region or zone ought to be entitled to a transmission grid, thereby easing the maintenance cost.

          

The aforementioned approach won’t only reduce cost, but will equally boost adequate and uninterruptible power supply across the federation. The private sector must also be given a room to key in. The various established private transmission grids such as the Power Geometrics situated in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State invented by Prof. Bart Nnaji and his team needs to be encouraged effectively.

         

As I urge the Buhari-led government to extend hand of fellowship to the cognoscenti towards doing the needful, we must take into cognizance that there ought to be a holistic probe into the dwindling power sector. Think about it!

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056 

Twitter: @mediambassador

Opinion I When Melodrama Outruns Legislation

WHEN MELODRAMA OUTRUNS LEGISLATION; IMO LAWMAKERS, I HAIL THEE

        The last time I checked, the Imo State lawmakers had chosen to display melodrama to Imolites rather than mainly involving in legislation, which ought to be seen as their primary consignment.

        No week that passed the state wouldn’t be shocked to her bone marrow over the level of melodrama displayed by these ‘gentlemen and ladies’ sent by Imo people to the state’s House of Assembly strictly for legislative business and other consequential oversight functions.

        Three weeks ago, precisely on Thursday, 10^th May 2018, in its usual plenary, the Speaker of the House in the person of Acho Ihim unequivocally announced to his colleagues that the Assembly’s Majority Leader – Uche Oguike – had been removed from the position and consequently replaced with Lugard Osuji, the member representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency.

        In a bid to throw more light, the speaker stated that the decision was informed by the resolution reached by the executive members of the House. In other words, he was trying to explain that the embattled official was removed owing to the agreement reached by the House’s principal officers.

        Therein, as soon as the pronouncement was made, the Hallowed Chamber was turned into an Alaba market, a popular trading centre in Lagos State as a result of the disagreement of the floor members who were present at the sitting. According to them, the speaker had taken more than he could chew by thinking that he and his allies could remove the leader in question via mere pronouncement.

         The honourable members, who apparently frowned at the incident, said that there were standing procedures through which any principal officer could be removed by the House, and not by merely announcing to the members that the executive had resolved to remove a certain officer.

        Thereafter, the aggrieved members called on Imolites to remain calm and not to be discouraged by the ugly development, stating they would never allow such decision or plan to see the light of the day. They, therefore, disclosed that they could not be taken unawares, or for fools, in a gathering where every member was elected equally.

        It would be recalled that the Chief Osuji in question happens to be the former Majority Leader of the House. He held the position from the emergence of the eighth assembly till barely few weeks back when the post became embattled, probably due to political reasons or manipulations. As a result of the crisis he was facing, or perhaps about to face, he outrightly resigned from the position during plenary. In that very outing, he also announced the resignation of his fellow principal officials who were equally facing similar plight.

        After the resignation was tendered, Chief Oguike was immediately announced by the speaker as the new Majority Leader, and the outright replacement was unanimously welcomed by the entire members present at the sitting. The replacement of the other affected principal officials was also pronounced by Mr. Speaker.

        Now, the same anointed Chief Oguike had become a sacrificial lamb. One would wonder what could have warranted such a development. Well, the answer to the people’s enquiry isn’t far-fetched. The development might not be unconnected with the recent obvious emergence of factions among the members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

        It’s not anymore news that since congresses ranging from ward to state level were conducted, or perhaps inconclusively conducted, across the federation, there has been existence of several factions amongst the Imo APC members, which has resulted in diverse news concerning the said conventions. This, surely, would equally create factions among the legislators.

        Come to think of it; the executive meeting that resolved the removal of Chief Oguike as Majority Leader, where did it hold and who were those present at the gathering? One question, too many. This inquiry became necessary because I’m not unaware that a majority leader is equally an executive member of a House. So, I wonder why he wasn’t present when such meeting took place. This very discovery raises more worry among the teeming concerned Imolites, particularly the seeming aggrieved legislators.

        Notwithstanding, I want to use this medium to inform our lawmakers, especially the presiding officers, that people – far and near – are invariably watching them. They must take into cognizance that they were sent on an errand by their respective constituencies, hence the need to concentrate on what they were asked to buy at the market.

        They need to acknowledge that the electorate have now understood that a certain legislator can be recalled if his/her constituents considered him no longer worthy to represent them. The supposed lawmakers are enjoined to understand that very soon they would be expected to report to their various constituencies on how many motions and bills they were able to sponsor in the House, and the role they played towards their hearings.

         It beats my psyche that barely a few weeks after I ‘scolded’ these legislators for endorsing a gubernatorial aspirant, they still came up with another disgusting melodrama. This implies that they have refused to acknowledge that they are actually representing some persons in the revered Imo House of Assembly. This ostensibly smacks of danger, to assert the least.

         In view of the above, time has conspicuously come when Imolites in their numbers would start throwing pertinent questions to their respective representatives. It is obviously high time we began asking them; how far, so far? This is truly the ripe moment to present several enquiries before them for onward and immediate answers.

        Time has gone when the electorate would desist from throwing questions just on the social media, or being active only on the said platform. The governed must note that good governance can never be witnessed if they remain far from the government officials. Think about it!   

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

_________________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador                                      

Opinion I Before APC Drenched In Downpour

BEFORE APC DRENCHED IN DOWNPOUR

        Before the All progressives Congress (APC) would be drenched in the foreseen downpour, I’ve thought it wise as a concerned onlooker and citizen to set the record straight for the ruling party.

         I previously did a piece titled ‘APC and her kangaroo elective congresses’. In that very work, which frowned over the ugly happenings within the scope of the APC during the just concluded – perhaps yet to be completed – congresses of the party, I took time to advise the members of the platform, particularly its leadership.

         I was not unhappy when the APC graciously emerged in 2013. The said mood was not unconnected with the notion that its existence in the Nigeria’s political terrain would tremendously help to usher in a wholesome opposition, thereby balancing the pedestal on which the country’s polity stands.

        The above candid belief was actually what angered my temperament when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – then led by Prof. Attahiru Jega – was ostensibly denying the APC the right to officially register as a political party, citing incoherent merging. The unfortunate response of the electoral umpire, which resulted in a delayed registration, seriously instigated my venom.

        Anyone who was keenly observing my reaction as at then might insinuate I was one of the individuals that collapsed into the merger party. But my reaction, on the contrary, was solely as a result of my long nurtured quest to witness a Nigeria where the opposition would be reliable, viable, indefatigable and formidable.

         Consequently, the APC’s proposed registration eventually received a nod from the INEC. After its registration, it was obviously seen by all concerned that, truly, the long-awaited rival to the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had surfaced to the delight of patriotic Nigerians.

        Owing to its unparalleled popularity coupled with overwhelming change mantra, the APC conspicuously ousted the PDP from the Nigeria’s seat of power via keenly contested polls. Though since the APC came on board as a ruling party, there has been series of ups and downs towards ushering in the exact governance it promised the electorate prior to its emergence, the people had apparently chosen to remain patient and optimistic pending when their overall desire would be duly attended to.

         The APC had thus far refused to be marred by the unending criticisms and condemnations from the opposition occasioned by perceived bad governance. It is, however, shocking to note that internal politics is a factor that’s likely to mar the ruling party.

        Within the past few weeks, the members of the APC in various quarters have publicly showcased that if apt measure isn’t taken, the party might soonest be headed for ‘Rwanda’. Emergence of this eyesore smacks of danger for not just the party but anyone who genuinely means well for the Nigerian state.

        The downpour foreseen with the aid of my panoramic view, which is liable to set in due to the apparent lack of internal democracy that recently ensued in the APC, may end up consuming the party if its leadership refused to put its acts together for the overall good of the organization. It seriously beats my psyche when I see or hear the party’s leaders, who are supposed to be concerned about way forward, indulge themselves in self-deceit.

         It’s quite appalling when realized that one at the helm of affairs isn’t worried about the misdoings in his territory. It’s indeed a shame to see a group of persons, whom were entrusted with certain responsibilities, participate in frivolities. It’s mind-boggling to observe that when we are required to tell ourselves that all isn’t well, we’re rather busy communicating to the world that nothing actually went wrong.

        After the ward, LG and state congresses that were obviously characterized by irregularities, some stalwarts in the APC who were meant to be deeply troubled by the anomaly, were instead seen in different quarters telling the press that the party members had proven to be united, hence ready to retain power come 2019. How do you reconcile this?

        Notwithstanding, the party still has chances of putting its house in order. Before it is drenched in the avoidable downpour, I must seize this medium to notify its leaders at various levels that self-deceit has killed millions of individuals than diseases and accidents did, hence the compelling need to squarely face the reality headlong.

        As the APC witnesses her elective national convention come June 23, 2018, it’s therefore inconsequential to reiterate that if the needful isn’t done before the outing, it will still be an exercise in futility. It would have been splendid and acceptable to ensure that the numerous injuries incurred during the congresses are addressed prior to the conduct of the awaited convention. It would be preposterous to hold a convention while some states are currently recognizing parallel executive council in various levels.

        For the APC to regain its strength, political wise, it’s harmful for its various members to come up with ideas that are in furtherance of their personal interests rather than that of the party. Think about it!

               

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers

_________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador