BELIEVE IT OR DON'T. ELECTRICITY IS OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE
by
Kayode J. Fakinlede
The main reason why Nigerians cannot work or find work is because there is no stable electricity supply.
The main reason why there is intense political agitation in our country is because of lack of electricity supply.
One of the reasons why people steal money and take it out of Nigeria is because we have a non productive economy, mainly a result of lack of electricity supply.
If we can solve our electricity supply issue, more money will flow from outside into the economy – more money than what goes out.
As long as our electricity issue persists, more money, either corruptibly acquired or justifiably made, will leave the economy. The money from outside will not find its way into our economy.
If we can solve the problem of electricity supply, jobs will be created and more people will have something to do, thereby reducing the level of agitation and insecurity in our nation.
The issue of electricity supply is not that of more megawatts or no megawatts. It is more a systemic issue. The system of getting electricity to the people is too cumbersome, too big, too inefficient, and highly unyielding to small and quick changes.
The more the government needs to get out of the electricity supply system, the more it entrenches itself into it, making it even more inefficient and corrupt.
100 Fasholas and trillions of nairas will never solve the problem of electricity because the system is grossly inefficient. Putting money into this system is like throwing money away.
The federal government needs to have a rethink. The issue is how to change the system and not how many dollars can be borrowed to build power stations.
The DISCO is an arm of government, tagged 'PRIVATE COMPANY' whose main duty is to sap Nigerians' wealth without giving corresponding returns. It is not a private company. Handing over billions of naira to these DISCOs for job not performed should be considered as a crime against all Nigerians.
The federal government of Nigeria will never run an efficient electricity supply system because it is not suited to provide electricity. It is not suited because it is too inefficient, highly corruptible, completely unskilled and totally bureaucratic.
Really, it is not the duty of the federal government to produce, supply or distribute electricity. The task of providing electricity should be left to experts, including Nigerians, who want to make money providing electricity.
The task of making decisions about electricity needs should be left at the community level where it will be treated as a communal issue like any other and not as a national emergency.
Electricity should not cost the federal government money. It should make money for the government through taxation of the electricity companies.
Nigerians need readily available and stable electricity supply to survive and grow.
We Nigerians are tired of staying in darkness. We are tired of being unproductive because the government wants to do things it does not have the capability of doing.
FAKINLEDE
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