NIGERIA AND ENERGY WASTAGE
One of the best energy conservation slogans I love ‘CONSERVATION, NOT DEPRIVATION’.
Truly, Energy availability is a major challenge in Nigeria and Africa at large. Nigeria as at today is still battling between 5000MW to 6000MW of electricity when in reality, the country needs hundreds of thousands of Megawatts. Anyway, my focus today is not on the failures of the government (both past and present) in providing adequate power, rather, my focus is the management of the little we have. Although, we generate so little compared to our present energy need, the pertinent question we should ask ourselves is” what have we been able to do with the little we have”?
Energy wastage has eaten deep into our culture, No one cares about it, yet, we complain of unavailability of supply and high bills while in real sense, we actually consumed it without knowing it. The truth still remains that Energy is never cheap anywhere in the world, that is why, through technological advancements, the whole world is working towards reducing energy consumption while achieving more. Why then is Nigeria not taking advantage of the technological changes in the world in minimizing energy consumption and wastage? Many discos are complaining of ATC &C losses which invariably affects their performance. A lot needs to be done by both Government and discos. The following key points would help in minimizing waste of energy.

LAW: As Aristotle rightly said “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice, he is the worst”. A law should be passed by the national assembly against energy wastage, if possible. Although this might face stiff opposition from the masses, but at the long run, it will be to the benefit of all.
PROVISION OF PREPAID METERS: One of the reasons why people waste energy is because they believe and know there is no proper accountability. Since there is no proper accountability, there is every tendency that waste will arise. If the government can help, through the discos, make meters available to every customers so that everyone pays for the energy consumed, believe you me, people will become conscious of energy management, thereby reducing to its barest minimum the losses and waste.
BAN ON INCANDESCENT BULB: Ban should be placed on the Manufacture and importation of Incandescent bulbs which consumes more energy. Of what use is it for a consumer to use a 200watts bulb when he can get energy saving bulbs of between 7- 20watts which gives more swag? Those high energy consuming bulbs and equipment that has alternatives with lower energy consumption rate should be banned completely.
PROPER SENSITIZATION OF THE POPULACE: The truth still remains that not everyone knows the need for Energy management. The Government, NGO’s, Discos, and other organizations have a lot of work to do in that regards. Telling people about the need to save energy is a task that we all should embrace. People should inculcate the habit of switching off any light that is not in use. E.g, Toilet Light shouldn’t be on when no one is making use of it, as street light / security lights should be off during the day.

Let us change our culture and embrace energy saving devices so as to manage and utilize the little we have as we keep believing that sooner than later, power challenges will be a thing of the past. CONSERVTION, NOT DEPRIVATION.

Written by Nasa . strictly my view .