90 million Nigerians and electricity supply

Sir: From the time when Nigeria’s electricity regulatory body was known and called Electricity Council of Nigeria (ECN), to when it became National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), and then Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), and now the existing arrangement of regional Discos, electricity supply have always remained erratic and unsteady to citizens and residents in the country have remained ‘unsteady.’ 

Thus, the revelation, recently, by the helmsman of the Ministry of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola that up to 90 million Nigerians lack adequate electricity supply, is a shameful fact. The editorial of The Guardian on Sunday, May 6, 2018, in this light, remains apt, succinct and timely.

For us the ‘poor’, in Nigeria, electricity supply to our homes and places of abode remains skeletal and truant! Electricity supply for the not-so-wealthy masses in Nigeria is rare as refined gold. Hardly do the masses enjoy electricity because its brief presence, whenever it is around hurries away without anyone knowing when it will appear again. However, the billing is regular and very high. For those residents in high-brow-areas of the country, electricity supply is certain for a better part of the day. On account of this reality, the masses are left with no choice but bear the sound of noisy ‘I better pass my neighbour ‘generators. May God bring ‘redemption’ to the electricity and power sector in Nigeria.
Adaofuoyi, Patrick Ogbe wrote from Mararaba, Nasarawa State.