Opinion I Before Blackout Becomes Bomb Blast

BEFORE BLACKOUT BECOMES BOMB BLAST

           

Recently, the Nigeria’s Power Minister – Mr. Babatunde Fashola – publicly uttered that the country’s economic plight could not be attributed to steady electricity outage. The utterance was arguably in conflict with the popular belief that power supply remains the backbone of any economic development.

        

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 striving toward boasting of steady 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 50,000MW. Such a shocking phenomenon calls for thorough examination in the said sector.

        

During the past administration, Chief Olusegun 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. National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) was equally initiated.

        

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 NIPP with little or no effect.

        

On power sector alone, the administration of Chief Obasanjo reportedly spent $16 billion approximately equivalent to #3.52 trillion, his successor Late Yar’Adua expended $5.375 billion (#1.183 trillion), whilst immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration spent $8.26 billion (#1.817 trillion). In a nutshell, the country, within the years in review, spent about $29.635 billion amounting to #6.52 trillion only on quest for steady power supply.

        

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 30*C. The country is abound 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 in Aba, Abia State invented by Prof. Bart Nnaji and his team needs to be encouraged effectively.

          

Before this blackout becomes bomb blast, it’s consequential to notify Mr. Fashola that it’s time he had a rethink over such a misleading ideology. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

 

 

 

 

Opinion I On Cancellation of Imo Free Working Days

ON CANCELLATION OF IMO FREE WORKING DAYS

         

The last time I checked, the two free working days currently enjoyed by the workers in Imo State – the Eastern Heartland – would soonest be put to stop. This was disclosed on Monday, 5^th February 2018 by Governor Rochas Okorocha during an interactive session held between the number-one citizen and practicing journalists in the state at the Douglas House, Owerri, in the spirit of Imo at 42.

        

According to the governor, as from 1^st March 2018, every worker domiciled in the state would be expected to participate actively in his or her office in all working days, ranging from Monday to Friday. He stressed that any civil servant found wanting as from the stipulated date would be shown the way out without much ado.

         

It would be recalled that in about two years ago, precisely on Friday, 29^th July 2016, Gov. Okorocha graciously announced the outright reduction of the globally recognized five existing working days of the workers to three, from Monday to Wednesday to be precise, thereby allowing them to be off between Thursdays and Fridays. The governor who granted the grace during his meeting with the delegation of Imo Royal Fathers in Agriculture, stated that the two days off were mapped out strictly for the sake of farming.

         

He explained that the declaration was informed by the urgent need to engage the teeming workers in the state’s new agricultural programme branded ‘back to land for agriculture’, which was scheduled to commence on August 1, 2016. The governor who then categorically made it clear that workers on essential duties to include those in the information, health, security, teaching and IGR-based sectors coupled with political appointees were exempted from the free working days, further notified that a bill for the initiative would be sent to the state’s legislature for legal backing.

         

I could recall vividly that in a swift reaction to that declaration on this very column, one of my major lines read “…if Gov. Okorocha isn’t a famous leader, I will insinuate he’s just trying to attract popularity to his name”. In that piece, I made it unequivocally clear that as a constitution and rights activist, it was pertinent to let the governor comprehend fully that he had derailed by even thinking of such an idea let alone making it public.

        

In my words, I further informed that announcing suchlike policy was simply unconstitutional and lawless, citing the International Labour Organization (ILO) that constitutionally prescribed that at least 40 hours per week must be spent by any public servant anywhere in the world. I equally reminded that the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, abides by the ILO’s directive, which implied that the issue of workers’ working days wasn’t even an affair to be deliberated by a group of state legislators talk less of an individual in a position of authority. It’s therefore needless to reiterate that I personally frowned over the declaration in its totality.

         

However, it’s noteworthy that almost two years on, that very grace granted to Imo workers is yet to yield the fruit for which it was initiated. At the moment, farming is yet to be taken as a priority by an average Imolite, particularly among the direct beneficiaries of the free working days’ initiative; all to the detriment of the state’s public service and her economy in general.

        

I said it earlier that His Excellency never told us how he intended to monitor the workers towards ensuring that the free days in question were judiciously utilized as expected. Unfortunately, that constructive and candid criticism of mine was absorbed by many allies of the governor as a sign of hatred for the leader, and the Rescue Mission Government at large. But today, I have been vindicated from the guilt which was wrongly placed on my innocent person for tendering the statement.

         

Presently, there’s honestly no how a sane and rational individual wouldn’t cry for the public service if he/she took time to visit any of the state’s ministries on a Thursday or Friday. When you take a walk to the place on the aforementioned days, you would be told by the security personnel on duty that the workers had gone to farm; yet, on a daily basis, our children cry of severe hunger in our various homes. How do you then reconcile the scenario?

         

I sincerely thank God that the governor had realized the mistake he inadvertently made two years ago. By publicly putting up that directive penultimate Monday, he had eventually concurred with my candid analysis that such an initiative wasn’t the required way forward for economic emancipation, or the anticipated boom in the agric sector. In other words, I congratulate him for retracing his steps. We never needed a seer to tell us that the free working days’ initiative had caused, and still causing, the state more harm than good.

         

Now that the affected workers have been mandated to return from their ‘farms’ to their respective offices, it is needless to inform the governor that a tangible measure needs to be implemented in order to ensure compliance. Proactive approach must be put in place towards ensuring that those so-called farms are left by the workers for their various offices. And for such to be actualized, it would be ideal and wise to set up a standing committee – comprising competent and reliable individuals – that would checkmate the day-to-day activity of the affected civil servants.

        

Among all, as these workers have been asked to return to their offices, the government ought to equally ensure that prompt payment of salaries cum allowances is sustained come rain come shine. Thus far, I must candidly appreciate the governor for maintaining the tempo as regards payment as and when due, but it would be more commendable if all that is accruable to the workers are duly given to them without any form of deduction. It suffices to say that I’m using this medium to advocate for a regular hundred percent (100%) salaries and allowances for the working class in the state.

       

So, as the free working days in the Eastern Heartland have been graciously scrapped by the initiator, it would be ideal for both the government and the workers to be invariably mindful of the needful for the sake of Imo at large. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador              

         

Opinion I Boko Haram and The Military's Avowal

BOKO HARAM AND THE MILITARY’s AVOWAL

        

Sometime ago, an uncle of mine told me among my siblings during a casual family gathering that one of the prime idiosyncrasies of any security outfit anywhere in the world was over-confidence coupled with pride. He stressed that the aforementioned features invariably “make them to exaggerate as well as embrace victory in advance”, which according to him was a good step if one really means a battle he is involved.

       

In a bid to throw more light, he further said “over-confidence, which is often begotten by pride, has a very strong way of subduing your opponents and could make them surrender even before the battle commences”. In other words, he was actually opining that security agencies strive successfully with the help of the said tools.

         

I was yet to concur with the perspective which he tendered over a decade now, not until barely two weeks ago. It isn’t anymore news that on Saturday, 3^rd February 2018, the Nigeria’s military, precisely the Army, boasted publicly that the world’s third dreaded terrorist group – Boko Haram – had been ‘completely defeated’ by them.

       

The disclosure, which came up during the inauguration of the Nigeria – Cameroon Military Joint mission in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was presented by the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in the person of Major General Rogers Nicholas. He said “troops under the operation Deep Punch II on Friday dislodged the terrorists at their factional ground, Camp Zero”.

         

In an effort to throw more light, the commander disclosed “my soldiers are in the heart of the Boko Haram enclave. The gallant troops have broken the heart and soul of Shekau’s group, taking over the camp and its environs”. He went further to say “they are on the run and we are pursuing them to wherever they go”.

        

Maj. Gen. Nicholas who urged the fleeing terrorists and abducted persons in the bush to come out and surrender to the troops, promising they would not be harmed or killed, informed that “this time around, there is no place for escape anywhere” as he equally revealed that hundreds of them had already surrendered and about 100 civilians rescued in the process.

        

Intriguingly, just the following day after the announcement, on Sunday 4^th February 2018 to be precise, the ‘completely defeated’ Boko Haram unleashed an attack on Kala village situated in Dalori, Borno State. In the mayhem, a person was reportedly murdered and several houses set ablaze. I couldn’t reconcile that barely 24 hours after we were notified that the Boko Haram had been totally crushed, the extremist sect practically disabused the army of its claim.

         

It’s noteworthy that the avowal came up barely a few weeks after the leader of the jihadist group, Mr. Abubakar Shekau appeared in a latest video. In the 31-minute display, the elusive leader having boasted that his men were in good health, threatened that the battle wasn’t yet over. This is the same man who had for the umpteenth time been reportedly killed by the army.

        

Come to think of it. It’s worth noting that the army’s declaration came just a few weeks after the National Economic Council (NEC) approved the withdrawal of one billion dollars from the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) towards tackling the ongoing battle against the extremists; an approval that had raised tremendous dust and ripples among millions of Nigerians.    

        

Although I never expected the army to sound like defeatists, which they aren’t, it’s noteworthy that that boast was contradictory. We aren’t unaware how the people – particularly those from the North-Eastern part – longed to hear the military announce to the global community that the dreaded sect had been totally crushed, but it’s imperative to comprehend that such report wouldn’t be consequential if any area across the federation is still unsafe as regards terrorism.

          

I personally understand that such information by the army might be a strategy targeted toward provoking the enemy group in order to fish their members out from their various hidden places, but it’s understandable that several other Nigerians wouldn’t be able to interpret the message as such owing to their level of understanding, hence the need for the revered security outfit to acknowledge the reality of individual differences whenever we are bound to take any action or tender any utterance, as the case may be.

        

In line with his campaign pledges, the President Muhammadu Buhari – led administration has thus far since assumption of power convincingly strived to tactically end the ugly existence of the Boko Haram. The Nigerian Army (NA) among other Armed Forces, on its part, has apparently proven its determination to fight doggedly in regard to the ongoing terrorism war. 

         

However, it’s pertinent for both parties leading the war in question – the Federal Government and the military – to comprehend that the extremists can only be said to have been ‘completely defeated’ when every nook and cranny of not just the North-East but the entire Nigeria obviously becomes inhabitable, and our various borders duly safeguarded at all times.

         

In view of the above assertion, I’m strongly of the view that exaggeration might be helpful in winning the war but could on the contrary, do more harm than good. So, it’s therefore high time every stakeholder involved squarely faced the battle as required, so that, our success thus far wouldn’t turn into fiasco. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

 Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador