NIGERIA IN DOOM'S DAY: COMBATING THE PLAGUES

It is true that Nigeria is plagued with corruption, not to mention other malignant factors aiming to halt the growth of the economy materially, technologically, spiritually,what-have-you?

An attempt to adopt an eclectic solution to all of the nation's problems is an act of tilting at windmills; it is nearly impossible, given that the problems are an overwhelming glut. Therefore, this piece will be exposing us to the ills that have seemingly overcome the Nigerian economy, hence its apparent decay. The idea is clearly not pro-Biafra but a mere eye opener to some of the critical sectors of our economy, its inability to put smiles on the faces of us all as well as the inefficacy we did and in fact, still experience. This brings us to the concerns for the day.

ELECTRICITY
The first of these cumbrous issues that strikes good rest is ELECTRICITY. Many a person passes off the issue of infrastructure - Electricity as tangential, considering more decimating problems. However, Electricity is pivotal to technological and industrial growth, hence its concern. It is not a moot point after all, the logic behind the essence of light is ossified by God's recognition of its importance evidenced It vide Genesis 1:3 of the Holy Book where God commanded light upon the earth. This logic has resurfaced as man lumbered IN his quest for continuity of technological growth. Let us leave historical analysis of how PHCN came to be, and focus on the extant parts of our body suffering the heat rashes due to power blackout. Indeed, Nigeria is blessed with oil and gas. I will not know if our wits match the abundant mineral resources, but I know that our problem is due to non-application of common sense. Remember the birth of Niger Dams Authority (NDA)? Well this body saw to the construction of dams and this eventually led to the creation of the Kainji Dam in the year 1962. Everything seemed rosy then as the national grid linked the 36 state capitals including the FCT. Unfortunately, we are at a zero grid capacity per capita. Time for a succinct revelation – Did you know that the average Nigerian uses 136kw/h annually i.e. he consumes only 3% of the power of the average South African, and a laughable 5% of the average Chinese citizen? This means that for every 24hrs, Nigeria gets one hour or less. We are probably in the 4th world as it is obvious that the vision of our country’s leadership is stuck in the 1970’s mind frame.

The ensnaring albatross around our necks include the likes of Poor Policy Initiative, Poor Town Planning, Poor Maintenance Culture, Lack of Latest (modern equipment), Low Morale among the Workers and Embargo on Employment, UNCLE CORRUPTION, so on. On the issue of “no policy initiative”, It will be shocking to note that in the year 2003 through to 2008(10), the Nigeria and USA power sector relationship evinced the precarious state we were in. While USA, with 51 states, generated 813,000MW and had her per capita consumption to equal 3.12kw, Nigeria, with 36 states, generated electricity below 4,000MW and her per capita consumption totalled 0.03kw. USA is clearly more advanced than Nigeria but can it not be said that Nigerians were not ready for independence? As disturbing as the above statistics showed, it has even worsened currently.

The issue of poor town planning is very worrisome. In our urban settlements, we can testify to the irregularity of building placement which of course affects census. It should be known that another area yet affected is the transmission and distribution of power supply. What we experience is the overconcentration of hydro electricity on certain areas void of expansion to other buildings due to UNAVAILABILITY OF MORE CITIES TO FILL IN THE GAP, and UNIDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AS A RESULT OF POROUS TOWN PLANNING.

It is no news that we have poor maintenance culture as an issue. There is always the outcry of Government Personnel or engineers that one refinery or the other has taken its last breath. Why wouldn’t it? We never take our time to run a proper inspection on these set of equipment; so it is of no use going to church to pray that our equipment last even longer – that is praying amiss. Even, there is the issue of not buying or importing sophisticated equipment. I wonder why the Government will choose to kiss agriculture goodbye, and embrace the electricity generating area (oil and gas); but still, chastise the sector in such a manner as to deprive it from producing better results.
To address the area of corruption will mean LET US SLEEP HERE. To be succinct however, the reason for low morale among the workers is that Government thought it good to put his PERSONS at the helm of affairs, hence the stench of corruption. The reason your meter does not get read but fat PHCN bills approach your door step is that of corruption.
Condemnations without SOLUTIONS are mere hair splitting, hence the following suggestive solutions.
As regards the issue of poor town planning, more cities should be created or erected so as to enable power regulatory bodies, together with Federal and State, create a proper grid as well as monitoring power supply and consumption level.
The Government needs to recognise the crisis that they are faced with. This is clearly not the time for political vendetta, but a time to reflect on how best to move the country. What needs to be done is the building of wind turbines in the great expanse of land in the Northern part and middle belt area of the country. Knowing full well that the Northern part of our country sees the harsh sun very often, we can look at solar energy. Solar panels are not cheap products but then it is worth venturing into if we must avoid candles, and if we must revive the market and willing foreign investors. US will ever be a good example. That country operates on 19% hydro, and allows electricity evolve from nature’s goodwill i.e. coal – 39%, natural gas – 27%, wind, solar, and others – 7%. Nigeria is blessed, if not more, with all of these; let us spend the money now to avoid the worst of DOOMS DAY

Sabotage and pipeline vandalism is a problem which I believe can be resolved by the Government. It should be fair to the states that are fertile with natural resources. All they want is development, so develop their habitat – after all, the Government promised that years ago. This is said here because if the Government must use drones or digital acoustic system to monitor and protect the pipelines, then diplomacy should also be key so as to avoid a full blown war.
The solutions cannot be exhausted but that I drop my ink; a solution to the eclipse in Nigeria is if the Govt can take the bold step to stopping importation of generators. This will mean the Govt is keen on tackling the issue of electricity. Indira Gandhi of India did stop importation of cars; now check out the classy cars they produce. It is good we desist from importing generators and tackle this doom. Let us be radical to change this mess. We should even be top suppliers of electricity.

AGRICULTURE
It has been stated in many quarters that Nigeria witnessed her most progressive and prosperous years in the years leading to her Independence in 1960 and the early years of independent statehood before the outbreak of the civil war.

Now, this might be too far reaching an assertion given that by October, Nigeria will be 'celebrating'56 years of Independence and expectedly, the Nigeria of today has certainly recorded substantial progress compared to what was in place at independence. However, the basis for the earlier assertion must not be lost on us; at the time Nigeria gained independence in 1960, she had an economy that was the envy of the so called Asian Tigers like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and so on.
VISIT obedzblog. to exhaust this exposition.