A chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Abdullahi Ahmad Wakili, has decried electricity crisis that has bedeviled Nigeria for decades.
Wakili, who was the PRP Senatorial candidate for Kaduna North in the 2023 general elections, said in a statement Monday the regular collapse of the national grid has become an embarrassment to a country with so much potential.
He lamented that stable electricity has remained a distant dream for Nigerians despite the investment of billions of dollars into the sector by successive governments in the country.
The statement read: “In this 21st century, marked by immense technological advancements and an abundance of renewable energy solutions, Nigeria’s National Grid is not only in disarray but has seen more than 50% of its already limited capacity come to a standstill for weeks.
“Despite investing billions of US dollars into the sector, stable electricity remains a distant dream, even in urban areas.
“At the core of this crisis are rampant corruption, an outdated national grid design, and obsolete power infrastructure. In an age where alternative power generation methods are thriving, Nigeria’s continued dependence on a failing system is not just counterproductive, but dangerously exacerbates the potential for civil unrest.
“The existing national grid, a relic of the 20th century, was designed to deliver electricity from centralized power plants through single supply routes. This singular approach, lacking redundant supply arrangements, has rendered the grid inadequate in addressing Nigeria’s unique challenges and its exponentially growing population.
“Compounding this issue is the evident absence of routine maintenance and increasing vulnerabilities to sabotage, leading to persistent power outages.
“It is imperative for the Nigerian government to reassess its approach and demonstrate the political will necessary to initiate significant changes in the energy sector. Therefore, we propose the following actionable measures:
1. Declare a State of Emergency on the Power Crisis.
2. Commence the Implementation of an Alternative National Supply Grid.
3. Invest Heavily in the Decentralization of Power Supply.
4. Encourage the Establishment of Community-Based Modular Power Generating Stations.
5. Support Medium and Large-Scale Companies in Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Daily Power Needs.
6. Explore Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Potential, aiming for the estimated capacity to generate up to 71,000 MW of solar energy.
“Addressing Nigeria’s electricity crisis necessitates a bold reevaluation of its energy infrastructure. Implementing the aforementioned measures could significantly contribute to resolving the ongoing power crisis while positively impacting governance areas such as poverty eradication and economic development.
“It’s crucial to highlight the detrimental effects of the power crisis on private sector operators, particularly manufacturers. According to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), as of June 2023, the sector has reported an annual loss of N10.1 trillion due to persistent power shortages. The government must expedite efforts to address this crisis and consider measures such as financial interventions and tax waivers to prevent a collapse of the private sector.
“This is a pivotal moment for Nigeria to evolve beyond the current national grid challenges and embrace the 21st century vision of ‘Electricity for All.’”