Mr president, quench the darkness

BY OGUNTOYE OPEYEMI

During the presidential campaign of Former President Muhammadu Buhari, Babatunde Raji Fashola, hailed as the golden boy of the party, repeatedly emphasised the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s power challenges. At various public events, including the 7th annual colloquium in Lagos, Fashola asserted that the ineptitude of the previous administration should not be repeated, boldly stating that “any serious government can fix the power problem within six months”. Nigerians placed their trust in him, influenced by the transformation witnessed under his leadership in Lagos between 2007 and 2015.

In 2014, during a significant ceremony held at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television premises, to mark Fashola’s 2,600 days in office, he made a bold assertion: “The only way to get uninterrupted electricity supply in the country is to vote out the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming 2015 general elections.” This statement was backed by his notable achievements, including effectively handling the Ebola crisis and creating approximately 500,000 jobs for the citizens of Lagos state over eight years.

Fashola’s administration also left a lasting legacy with the construction of three bridges, including the iconic Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, and the completion of five (5) independent power projects, notably the one at Alausa, which significantly reduced reliance on generators. Given his impressive track record, it’s understandable why many believed in Fashola’s assurance that the ruling party would address the national power grid issues and ensure adequate power supply to the people.

The country is in dire need of an immediate solution to its power supply issues. Many young citizens possess the drive and passion to contribute to the nation’s development, yet they are hindered by the lack of adequate power supply. Without reliable electricity, aspiring entrepreneurs find it exceedingly difficult to establish and sustain businesses, such as operating POS services, due to frequent power outages and the inability to charge devices. The current state of total darkness or erratic power supply significantly hampers the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises. It’s crucial to recognise that no nation can achieve sustainable growth and development without ensuring reliable access to power.

The Egypt Megaproject stands as a testament to Siemens’ historic achievement, delivering 14.4 GW of power capacity to Egypt’s grid in a record-setting 27.5 months from financial closure. This monumental endeavour not only alleviated persistent power shortages but also propelled Egypt toward long-term power security, crucial for industrial growth. Additionally, the swift completion of two simple cycle power plants in Assiut and West Damietta, totalling 1,500 MW, within just eight months in 2015, further exemplifies the efficacy of visionary leadership and practical implementation. While comparing ourselves to China’s Belt and Road Initiative may seem ambitious, studying such initiatives could offer valuable insights into addressing our own challenges with consistent power shortages.

It is evident that effective leadership is paramount in driving the reform agenda for our country, and the support of the people is crucial in this journey towards a greater Nigeria. The Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy deserves commendation for its proactive measures, including the introduction of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program. This initiative has been well-received by Nigerians as it offers a promising platform for success in the IT sector.

However, to truly maximise the impact of such programs, reliable electricity is indispensable. Access to power is essential for powering up gadgets and enabling active participation in training programs. Therefore, it is imperative that efforts to improve electricity supply align with the goals of the ministry to ensure the success of initiatives aimed at empowering Nigerians in the digital age.

When the current minister was appointed, his first initiative was to start a weekly political socio-event, capturing all his former political associates from his former political party. This went on for months, neglecting the core mandate given to him by the presidency. It raises questions about the minister’s understanding of the urgency and uniqueness of the ministry’s challenges, as evident in his preoccupation with political mandates extending far beyond his current tenure. It is doubtful that the minister is in sync with the presidency’s renewed hope agenda.

The country needs an urgent solution but often when we see the minister appear in a gathering, it has always been in a political setting which wouldn’t have a positive impact on the general populace. The will and experience aren’t there and neither of the two can be forced into a man’s ability. Given the critical nature of this ministry, it was a mistake to treat it as a trial-and-error endeavour. It is evident that the current minister is more bewildered than even a bus conductor. This calls for a reassessment of our approach.

Despite numerous challenges, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has failed to fulfil its mandate of efficiently transmitting power from generating stations to the people. Presently, the country boasts an installed power capacity of 12-16,000MW, yet even if we assume we’re generating 50% of this capacity, roughly 7GW, the transmission network has only managed to transmit about 4-5GW of power over the last 8 years. This stagnant performance underscores the dire need for structural reforms within the agency. Given the pressing necessity for change, the coordinating minister should prioritise a comprehensive overhaul or restructuring of the agency.

Egypt’s energy strategy has evolved beyond thermal stations, with a concerted effort to diversify into renewable sources. Beginning in 2016, the government prioritised solar, wind, and conventional power, incorporating gas turbines while halting the development of hydropower stations. During the period from 2010 to 2022, significant progress was made, adding 16GW of power, largely attributed to wind and solar energy. Given this sector’s immense potential and demand, it is crucial to appoint a leader who not only comprehends the role but also possesses a resolute and non-controversial demeanour.

The advancement proposed could significantly benefit small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), but it is essential for the president to take decisive action and assume control of the ministry. The progressives, typically afforded considerable leniency, have expressed dissatisfaction with the ministry’s performance thus far. It’s crucial to communicate the citizens’ discontent to the presidency promptly. There’s still ample opportunity to enact meaningful changes and rectify the course. However, failure to address the shortcomings of the ministry could have dire consequences.

The country has been experiencing total grid collapse since time immemorial, however, between 2017 and 2023, the nation witnessed 46 grid collapses. It is accounted that in 2023 alone, the grid collapsed 12 times, accounting for 26%. The data received in performance hasn’t improved and if proper analysis of the Disco’s are examined also, it will equally give the same retrogressive output. No nation that is desirous of progress can actually achieve such with the present state of things. In the latest data released by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, most Discos have low performance in cash collection with very high billing efficiency, which has a very adverse effect on the AT &C losses of the companies. Oftentimes, there are regulations to improve the performance of the distribution companies but the major stumbling blocks are still with the government. If urgent action is not taken, we will continue to drag the same issues in 2027.

Tunisia with a vision has recently concluded a plan to embark on a special power project called Tunisia-Italy Interconnector (ELMED). The ELMED Interconnector Project is a planned bi-directional power exchange link between Italy and Tunisia. The 600MW capacity project will be the first direct current connection between Europe and Africa. These are the kinds of initiatives that we know President Asiwaju for but unfortunately, no one can drive it in the Ministry of Power. Solutions to each of the various value chains in the power sector must be itemised and implemented as soon as possible, to guarantee adequate and uninterrupted power supply to the country.

The citizens of the country want to stay back and develop their nation, which will give them the chance to compete with the rest of the world, but they need an adequate power supply. The only hope that they have is the belief that your capability is undoubted to deliver the renewed hope agenda. The young Nigerians who will benefit through the enormous jobs are counting on you, while the SMEs don’t want to lose hope either.

Oguntoye Opeyemi can be reached on Twitter via EquityOyo