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A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 11:40am On Feb 17, 2015 |
Dear Mr. President, Do forgive me for barging in on you with this letter while you are preparing for your election. This is the only way I am sure I can reach you most effectively. This is not meant to embarrass or distract you, rather the situation warrants that I let my President know my plight, and that of many Nigerians. After all, Americans have easy access to President Barack Obama. It’s to do with electricity. But you might be wondering why I should write you directly on this when you have a Minister of Power, and even a Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. But I am sorry to say, if they do exist, Nigerians whom you and they swore to serve have not felt their impact on this matter. In any case, I have written to them several times as well as those written by other people, including opinions by reputable newspapers, not leaving out countless peaceful protests by Nigerians to the distribution companies (discos), to the extent that a public affairs commentator proposed a revolution as the only solution to this problem. Though it might not matter any longer, I will still go ahead to say it. I feel there are areas that should never be privatised in Nigeria. And one of them is the power sector. The power sector is too critical to be left in the hands of capitalists. Capitalists are like doctors who sell coffins. Electricity is the oxygen of the economy. Unlike government, capitalists have only three things in mind: Profit, profit, and profit. Only competition puts them in check. Unfortunately, the power sector as it is today is a quasi-monopoly. Unlike the telecoms sector, electricity consumers cannot change their electricity suppliers. Still, Nigerians appreciate the efforts you have put into the power sector reforms so far. Nigerians recognise that it will take time to reach the desired level. But one thing Nigerians cannot take is the injustice, avarice and inefficiency that have bedevilled the sector since it was privatised. Before the privatisation, my electricity bill as estimated by the old Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Abule Egba business unit in Lagos, because I have yet to be given a prepaid meter, used to be about N2,300 per month. After the privatisation, and the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company took over, the bill became N6,000. After the tariff was “increased” with the so-called MYTO II, it became N13,000. This was given to me for three months. And without any further increase in tariff, that for February is now N18,000! Our minimum wage! It is laughable, if it were it not so grave. There are those who have prepaid meters in Lagos who use air-conditioning systems and pump their water even for commercial purposes who spend, on average, N4000 monthly. I know some people who don’t have prepaid meters in Abuja who are given a bill of N2,500 a month. An insider of the IKDEC described the N18,000 bill as “impossible.” Still, there will be a further “increase” in tariff for private homes in a few months’ time. Yet, there is no improvement in power supply, particularly since last October. As I am writing you this, there is power outage. Last month and up till this month, the light has been coming and going, every 30 minutes in my neigbourhood! Now, even if with privatisation, the light does not blink for one year, it is no justification for reckless and irresponsible bills. When the discos supply light that lasts up to five hours at a stretch, they want Nigerians to cheer them. Yet, the light supply is nowhere near what the defunct National Electric Power Authority, or even PHCN used to supply us. My neighbours have long lost faith in the system. They say they can’t pay for what they did not consume. Someone I know has asked to be completely disconnected until he gets a prepaid meter. He powers himself and still has a lot of savings. But I still pay for my bills regularly. But I get scorned by neighbours, family and friends. That I still pay the outrageous bills that I do not consume even causes friction between my spouse and I. The discos are stretching my already thin patience! As I said, we still run our generators as before the privatisation. But as said, we will save more if we depend solely on our generators. But that will be antithetic to your vision for the sector. We are all here to support you and the system. But it seems the discos are taking Nigerians for fools. But what they fail to realise is that by their greed, they only succeed in discouraging those who pay their electricity bills. But it is the discos that will lose eventually, as Nigerians know how to beat the system! The problem has been identified that there is a huge metering gap. The discos are not keen on giving out prepaid meters because of the huge rake-off from the estimated billing system. Nigerians now have to pay for their inefficiency, and feed their greed. Even with their greed, the discos are negligent in maintaining their distribution equipment and upgrading their facility. In December, I paid N10,000, into my account. With that of many others, till date, it has not been credited into my account. They attribute it to a “system error,” and are “working on it.” And they want me to keep paying. I am sorry, Your Excellency, but this matter is now a campaign issue. Consider the millions of Nigerians who are without prepaid meters who are suffering this injustice. A majority of Nigerians say they have not seen the gain of the fuel price reduction from N97 to N87. But trust me, Nigerians will be very grateful if you intervene in this injustice with the estimated bill. Nigerians are a majority, and the discos are a minority. The majority carries the vote! And that is the vote we promise to give you! You listened when we said we did not want the removal of fuel subsidy. Pray, on behalf of those Nigerians who are being cheated by the discos, make NERC revert to the old electricity tariff. If the average those who are using prepaid meter are paying is N4,000, the estimated bill given to those who don’t have prepaid meters should be fixed in that range. At worst, let those on prepaid meters pay the new tariff, and those without prepaid meters pay the old tariff. And the day a consumer gets their prepaid meter, they start paying the new tariff. And any disco who still gives out “crazy bills” should be sanctioned. And Nigerians are within their rights not to pay such bills. Perhaps, that is the only sure way of making the discos give their customers prepaid meters, and end the abuse. I am also aware that you have provided the funds for the provision of one million prepaid meters for consumers. Nigerians appreciate this. But one million meters will go nowhere. And how will the meters be distributed? Your Excellency, we are not asking to go back to Egypt, but while in the wilderness enroute to the Promised Land, give us the manna called justice! Permit me one last wish, Sir! The discos are using the excuse of “increased” tariff to feed fat. They are operating an open cheque, with their pen dripping with the blood and sweat of hapless Nigerians. May they be struck by constipation! Dr. Odoemena, a medical practitioner, wrote in from Lagos 2 Likes |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 11:43am On Feb 17, 2015 |
Nothin will come out of it. The dumbo just sits in the Villa and consumes billion naira worth of grub with sheepo, afterall theyv budgeted another millions to power their mikanos. Nonsense govt. #Theydontreallycareaboutus - MJ 4 Likes |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by DaBullIT(m): 11:59am On Feb 17, 2015 |
Him and him boys turned Nigeria to a market , selling of everything at the peril of Nigerians Don't complain, Vote change 4 Likes |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by MizyB(f): 12:02pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
I hope this hits front page, so GEJ can emphasize with you. |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by Realdeals(m): 12:03pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
I don't need to write my own again, the OP letter has express my own view. Walahi electricity supply so disgusting, for the past 6 month we have been on rotation 1 day ON, the other day OFF, even the one day ON still have to be shared, yet our billing did not reduce. These situation is killing. 1 Like |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by Nobody: 12:10pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
MizyB:Empathize? GEJ and his government will just come up with another excuse. |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by derrick333(m): 12:14pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
Presidential aspirant always using stable electricity as baits to get vote 4rm electorates Deris Godu ooo |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 12:56pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
I just keep wondering how hard it is to generate electricity and give to a country. Since the dumbo came to power 5 solid years its been hovering btwn 2500 & 4200 mwts with billion $ sunk down the sewers, plus a lot of silly excuses from his band of thieving and clueless faggies that surround him. #Pathetic.... 1 Like |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by VolvoS60(m): 1:00pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
There isn't much more to add. I know the hell I went through before I got my prepaid meter. Even now, I suspect the meter may have been fiddled with. But at least I have a meter and the demon of estimated billing has been exorcised from my household. What of the millions like this writer who do not have meters? What happens to them? After 16 years of the PDP at the helm, what excuse are they going to give for this? At every juncture, the PDP and its agents relentlessly sold and promoted the idea of free markets and privatization of state owned enterprises but the truth is that they do not believe in these concepts . These concepts are just conduits for these morally bankrupt men and women to enrich themselves and their associates. Crony capitalism at its worst. After 16 years and billions of dollars, we still generate less than 5,000MW and we still rely on estimated billing because Nigerians do not have prepaid meters. The scam surrounding all stages of power production and distribution in this country is the worst kind of grand larceny that a government can perpetrate against its own citizens - this is the legacy of Messrs Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yaradua, Goodluck Jonathan and their self styled biggest political party in Africa! I hope Nigerians have learned their lesson. We shall see soon enough. |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 1:12pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
.......When we ask awa gorfamenti o, wen dem go giv us light, dem say na 2010, but we don dey wait 2010 since den but now de waiting must end cos 2010 don go o oo o, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh...(sing up my people, sing up my people) God bless Sound Sultan..... #LightupNaija 1 Like |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by VolvoS60(m): 1:13pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
blackfase: ^^^ Exactly. Anyone would think that electricity was invented yesterday. They do these things because they can. And gullible, simple minded Nigerians let them get away with it. We keep getting excuses - a thousand and one excuses. How hard can it be to generate electricity? How do other countries do it? Nigerian leaders have the consumption habits of first world citizens but their production habits are fifth world at best. They drink French wine, drive German automobiles, operate Swiss bank accounts, wear Italian suits, patronize American doctors etc. But they can't generate electricity to lift their people out of poverty. Nigerians, behold your nakkedness. Until we hold our leaders accountable, deprivation, anger and shame will be our lot. 1 Like |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by MizyB(f): 1:19pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
RicKyRichards: so what are we going to do about that? Vote Them Out? |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 1:20pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
You'v totally driven it home. The ever gullible, docile citizenry. And to imagine the same set of dummies clamouring for this hopelessly clueless inept government to return is more than mind-boggling. Silly people.... VolvoS60: |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by Nobody: 1:21pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
MizyB:You're the smartest. After Nneka123. Sorry, no-one beats her. |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 1:22pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
Dont tell me you not yet armed with your pvc. Thats one big ammunition for you/ us all..... MizyB: |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by MizyB(f): 3:26pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
RicKyRichards:hian! I will show you *snatches His PVC, runs out of thread* |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by MizyB(f): 3:26pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
blackfase: |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by Nobody: 3:28pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
MizyB:Nice try...I don't even have a PVC, sorry. |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 3:29pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
Correkt madmoiselle!.....(thumbs up). Go out ther in five weeks and shoot down the roguish rodents of naija politics with your prints biko..... MizyB: |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by MizyB(f): 9:08pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
blackfase:right back at you sir! |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by MizyB(f): 9:09pm On Feb 17, 2015 |
RicKyRichards:you NEED to go get yours! |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 8:39am On Feb 20, 2015 |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 9:49pm On Feb 24, 2015 |
blackfase: |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 9:30pm On Mar 01, 2015 |
DaBullIT: |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 10:08pm On Mar 08, 2015 |
blackfase: |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 10:25pm On Mar 16, 2015 |
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Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by besttrader: 10:42pm On Mar 16, 2015 |
Between 1999 - 2007 OBJ squandered $16 billion in his giagantic power projects that supposedly entered the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest power project any country could ever embark upon. To help you understand the magnitude of this crime on the Nigerian people, I recently bumped into a news on CCTV about Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam, and I then checked it online. The dam costs the govt. of Ethiopia $4.8 billion and it has an Installed capacity of 6,000 MW, well it's being constructed at a record time of 6 years and it is the biggest hydroelectric project in Africa currently. If this bloody govt. or the one before it, or even the one before the one before it had foresight, we won't be having this discussion of electricity in 2015. Just imagine $4.8 billion and imagine all the stolen funds in Nigeria, imagine the dollars being thrown away during this election.........! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Ethiopian_Renaissance_Dam If one extrapolates this to Nigeria, this project would be estimated to take 20 years and will never be completed. My point is all these past and present rulers are all failures. GEJ is the latest failure and has earned it real good. He had 6 years and should have corrected the power woes of Nigeria. I've critically looked at the power infrastructures we currently have and the privatization drive, we won't have stable power in the next 6 years, my earnest forecast, especially looking at the body language of politicians in Nigerians and how projects are being executed. Someone has to now accumulate the power expenditures under GEJ's 6 years to understand how much of a waste we have endured in this country, they run in billions of dollars. For a country like Nigeria and all the wealth at its disposal, crude oil sales et al, we deserve a whole lot. This is 2015 for God's sake, I'm shock of words for the African/Nigerian Dream.... Such a bleak one!! |
Re: A Nigerian's Letter To President Jonathan On Electricity by blackfase(m): 10:26pm On Mar 23, 2015 |
besttrader: |
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