Nigeria’s national grid bewitched?

Sir: The federal government by now ought to have been able to find an adequate solution to the recurring collapse of the national grid which has made everything seem as if Nigeria is jinxed. It is shameful that after more than 60 years of Nigeria’s so-called independence, stories of national grid collapse continue to hit the airwaves and headlines every now and then.

Most businesses are solely dependent on power and the continuous collapse of national grid has over the years also led to the killing by instalments of most businesses due to low productivity causing continuous lay off of workers. People who get sacked unceremoniously from their places of work most times have some challenges with their mental health. Unstable power supply in Nigeria is responsible for most businesses depending on burning of diesel to keep afloat and at a very high cost.

The reason why so many Nigerians are forced to develop high blood pressure or even why most people are itching to leave the country is not unconnected with the instability associated with power which makes it impossible for anyone to plan adequately and succeed with such plan. It is surprising that with the high number of higher institutions in Nigeria and decades of running the various engineering departments, no Nigerian professor has been able to proffer any foolproof solution to the nagging power problem in the country.

It is a shame that while the federal government continues to plead with foreign investors to consider Nigeria as a business hub, the problem associated with power is yet to be addressed. It is unacceptable that even with the large funds being pumped into the power sector, the impact is yet to be seen or felt by the citizens since the stories of national grid collapse has never abated.

Whatever has be done, what the citizens are interested in is a stable power supply. If need be, expatriates can be invited to help out if no Nigerian group of professional is equal to the task.
Jide Oyewusi is coordinator of Ethics Watch International, Nigeria.