FIXING NIGERIA'S POWER DEBACLE: BREAK THE KETTLE, SINK THE SHIP AND CAST THE DIE
During the Battle of Julu, General Xing Yu landed his numerically fewer army on the shores of the Qin Kingdom. He then ordered his army to de-ford the river and destroy all means of re-crossing it, including breaking the bridges! He consequently committed his army to a non-negotiable struggle to the end against the feared, larger Qin army. He eventually achieved victory. Such is the power of determination.
To all wary observers and victims alike, fixing Nigeria's over 50-year-old electricity power challenge is now an exercise in warfare. GMB and team must be told. The old vultures that held us down, that fleeced the sector dry, that sabotaged every sincere efforts to boost generation, smoothen distribution and stabilise the system, have not retired. They have continued, even after privatisation, to mercilessly defraud people through 'crazy bills of darkeness'.
They have artfully double-crossed Nigeria by buying out the unbundled PHCN successor companies, to sustain their easy source of money. They have ensured that the GENCOS & DISCOS' efficiency do not distrupt their steady source of cashflow, from where they became emergency billionaires, that is: fuel importation and its fraudulent subsidy bonus!
They have ensured that our children inherit and continue to chant 'UP NEPA' with each saddening, momentary restoration of light, as we, their parents, shouted for over 40 years. Now, without mincing words, this must CHANGE!
Unlike my position on tackling corruption with caution, I urge President GMB to deal with power problem by breaking the kettle, sinking the ship and casting the die! The pursuit of power improvement and stabilisation must be pursued with MEAN efficiency. The starting point is a declaration state of emergency (SoE) on power, as suggested by late President Yar'Adua, of blessed memory. This SoE must outlaw, legally, people and interests and intitutions, including labour, from any form of interference with the aggressive reforms to be pursued.
To truly burn the ship:
1. Any Genco or Disco owner that also has fuel import licence should have one of the licences withdrawn immediately, due to possible conflict of interest. Billionaire fuel importers will never wish the power sector well!
2. And, in the nearest future, no government houses and offices should be powered by generator. Intertwining the destiny of leaders with the led will do the magic.
3. No generator fuel budgets should be be made in 2016 budgets. This will pass the message to Disco and Genco owners that time for real business has come.
4. Government must immediately outlaw importation of generator sets. This will kill the motivation to vandalise power equipments and cables.
5. Government must outlaw the sale of heavy duty power cables and equipment on the open market, so that the thief that steals the king's trumpet will have no place to blow it.
I passionately recommend a 2-year State of Emergency declaration for the power sector, because for Nigeria to prosper, we need power. Our small businesses must survive. Our big firms must earn lower cost, to offer cheaper goods. And all Nigerians must lead good, comfortable lives, in our lifetime.
God bless Nigeria and make our ways easy!
By: Akinola Taofeek (PHD)
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