Nigeria: As Fashola Tasks FG On Power Supply

Lagos — Again the debate on electricity supply in the country became the front burner issue when Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola urged Nigerians not to take excuses from the Federal Government any longer over its inability to provide electricity supply.

While commissioning the Mainland Independent Power Project located in Ikeja area of the state last Wednesday, he said the state would have sufficient power if they were backed by appropriate legislation in the country to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

According to Fashola," We have heard all sorts of promises about power from our national government as if it is something that was just newly discovered. But electricity is over a century old. It is old invention, so no excuses should be acceptable.

"What we have dared to demonstrate in Lagos is that within the realm of the law, where you allow us to operate, we will show that it is possible to provide electricity. So if the National Assembly wakes up tomorrow and says every state should take responsibility for the generation, transmission and distribution of its own electricity Lagos State will do so properly."

The governor lent his voice as many Nigerians have also complained about the state of power supply in the nation. Recently, President of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote stated that industrial sector in Nigeria is collapsing due to poor power supply, noting that he has spent N45 billion in the last six months to power Ibese cement plant.

According to Dangote, "Industries are dying in Nigeria as a result of inadequate power production from the national grids or non-availability of gas to power companies' independent power project. In the last six months, we have had challenges of gas supply which made us to fall back on diesel and did not allow us to produce at maximum capacity to meet the demand. I want government to help industries to grow in making sure that there is enough gas because the only thing that we are getting from them is gas so that we can continue to generate our own power."

There is no doubt that adequate power supply is vital to the development of the country and enhances industrial and economic growth. It is also a major factor in addressing unemployment which Nigeria is battling with.

To Comrade Bede Okpara, President, Senior Staff Electricity and Allied Companies, if government both past and present had done the needful, the power sector will not be where it is today.

"Before the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, there was no reinforcement, no improvement of any sort in the power sector. It was the former President Olusegun Obasanjo that started doing something before something started happening. Previously, there were no investors in the sector and demand for electricity is always on the increase. Power production include generation, transmission and distribution but there was no investment in that area, the existing infrastructure dilapidated and already overstretched.

"It doesn't take few days to correct it. Government before now didn't do what they are supposed to do. Present government has made a lot of input and if we continue, the power sector will be a lot better," he said.

Undoubtedly, Nigerians want to see more improvement in the power sector that will lead to sufficient electricity supply. Citizens are ready to pay for power consumed, as long as they are available and not exploited to pay for services not rendered as presently obtained. Government certainly needs to work on the availability of gas supply which is germane for independent power producers to ensure constant electricity to the citizens.

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