NIGERIA AND THE CHALLENGE FOR POWER SUPPLY

'Up Nepa' : is the commonest adage or saying amongst many Nigerians. This is normally chanted whenever the epileptic electricity is restored . For a country of Nigeria's callibre, we supposed to have surmount that level about 20 years ago. Many African countries like Ghana, South Africa, Egypt and a host of others to mention; have forgten totally about any power shortage in their countrys'. Nigeria supplies electricity to countries like Chad, Benin Republic, Niger, Togo and even Cameroun itself. But why is she not supplying herself? I will bet to my last blood that Money or finance isn't the problem. But rather, ineptitude, unscrupulous and unsagacious set of malicious and heartless leaders- who are not of the intrest of the masses.

If Ghana has only three power interruptions in three months. What is stoping Nigeria from having atleast one or two interruption in a week?
I wonder where this country is heading to. All the resources are there. Every year, its Billions of Naira been budgeted for power. And yet, there is no any glimpse of improvement.

It was recently proclaimed by the Minister of Power that; Lagos state should be given a 24 hours power supply due to the Economic activities it has for Nigeria. This made me to wonder about the Economic position occupied by Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan and the oil producing states.

And now the Government are planning for an 80% increase in power bill by April. Where is the power that its bill is about to be increased and inflated??? The money that was budgeted from 1999-2012 is enough for Nigeria to generate more than 100,000 MGW.

Brazil generated 2000 MGW in two years. Its a shame for Nigeria that we couldn't produce even 1000 MGW in more than a decade.

South Africa not long ago, produced another 2000MGW when they are about to host the first World Cup on African soil in the year 2010. And felicitously for them, there isn't any power shortage through out the tournament. That power was generated as a reserve, incase of any shortage.

Instead of Nigeria to give the power sector a huge boost, and encourage other stake holders to invest vigorously in the sector, here they are; buying generators in every govenment offices. Infact, it has even trangressed to our embassy's abroad, where illogically, billions of Naira was budgeted last year for the purchase of generators in Nigerian embassys abroad.

Suprisingly, the 2012 budget that becomes the most maligned discussion amongst nigerians recently. The top government officials are highly beneficiaries which was characterised with millions of Naira for flowers, billions of Naira for food, almost a trillion of Naira for security (and yet no sign of improvement), millions for newspapers and a plethora of others to mention. To rap it all, a whooping 30% goes to South- South.

If Nigeria can improve its power sector, there is going to be a tremendous enjoyment in the country. The rates of transportation, communication would all be low. Thus improves our standards of living.