It is imperative that Nigerians understand that rebuilding processes are never as easy as damaging process. Providing an elixir to a national problem as old as the nation itself is not a day job, neither is it a six months formula. People expecting a wave of a wand from somewhere to solve all impending power crises is a joke taken too far and this spasmodic expectations have to be controlled or it may implode and consequently destroy even in the wake of a workable solution.
Nigerians easily forget that reformation process takes a while to take shape. For instance importation process of equipment and facilities alone take months to materialize, sometimes 6 months and over a year as the case may be. Ditto, meters importation and installation processes. Building Substations, High Tension Power Lines to improve transmission is not a day job. As simple as it may sound, replacing weak distribution transformers and low tension power lines to improve distribution takes time and all these things has to be put in place to expect steady power supply.
As a nation, we must unite to combat vandalism and sabotage of our national asset. This is a major bane in the incessant poor power supply aside the below par performances of many of the distribution companies whom also need complete overhauling of technical man power and management skills. Vandalism and theft for business or political reasons is an another hindrance to getting good power supply.
Outrightly, the Discos have showcased their profound incapability of self financing the distribution of power across their regions. Out of the 11 Distribution Companies (Discos) in Nigeria, I’m not sure of any that stands upright above the others in terms of quality service delivery and managerial prowess.
The security agencies also have to unite against organised crime of power assets vandalisation and theft. Each states, local governments and wards also have to join hands to best utilise their local security outfit to see out this menace in our localities. Destruction and stealing of transformers, cables and power lines have to be averted to see out this unending issue of irregular power outage that constantly befall our many towns and communities in the country.
Even the alternative power sources do not come cheap or appear with a swipe of the magic wand either. Solar and Wind Off Grids also take time to build and activate to operation. These are not a day job to materialise. Rebuilding from scratch is what the Power sector is presently undergoing under the government of President Bola Tinubu.
Foundations are base of structures that support buildings. They come with big dedications and tediousness. Sacrifices have to be made for full actualisation and implementation.
During the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu last visit to IBEDC, he assured them on all supports needed to improve electricity in the region. He even brought along the MD of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, the MD Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Ahmad Salihijo and other heads of agencies in the Ministry of Power whom were all made to co-identify the core problems faced and proffer workable solutions whilst improving their working relationship to improve the state of power in the country.
The Minister of Power didn’t forget to inform IBEDC top directors that if they do not improve on their services or work harmoniously with the necessary stakeholders for improved output and service to consumers, they may have to wield their power and sack the top management of the distribution company like it was done to Kaduna Electricity Distribution.
Stable and Constant Electricity in Nigeria will come to fruition but the Minister at this time needs everyone to support the project and keep giving feedbacks to ascertain the level of inadequacy or shortcomings of the Electric Distribution Companies across the country. Let’s remember Rome was not built in a day, but I can assure the Minister is sleeplessly working day and night to give us steady and affordable power supply.
Oluwatobi Adisa is a media practitioner with X handle (@deeduke1), also the publisher of www.news247naija.com
