Unsustainable Power Generation In Nigeria.

For years Power Generation has been the Achilles heel of Nigerian leaders and one of the major challenges no past leader has been able to alleviate. For years, more than 90% of Nigerians cannot boast of even 16 hours of daily electricity supply.
This is coming after trillions of foreign currency has been budgeted, allocated and even expended on this particular sector. The Olusegun Obasanjo administration fooled Nigerians and carted away with more than $16 billion allocated for the power sector .  This was done in the name of Independent National Power Projects (INPP), which was at various times headed by the likes of Liyel Imoke and Segun Agagu respectively . For the first time in many years , Nigerians are beginning to experience a glimpse of hope in terms of the power generation(since May 2015), this has been taken advantage by the APC to attribute it to the impact of  current President Muhammadu Buhari. Many generator sellers have gone out of business and even filling stations are not left out, as there has been little or no need for petrol or gas for the generators.

To understand better the situation at hand, history should be consulted. It became so bad that in 2009 , there was a severe power outrage in the Presidential Palace that ever since 2009, the state house depends 24 hours on a generator. In 2009, during the last Junior World Cup hosted by the country there was power outrage in one of the stadiums for some minutes.  Before this administration, the highest record of power generation  was 4,517 mw on December 21, 2013. It got so bad that it dropped to 2,866 mw in April 2014.  There has been various reasons for this shortage in power supply which can easily be called the 'Blame Game'. These reasons include inadequate gas supply , shortage of water in the dams, vandalisation or theft of power equipment, poor funding and the presence of the 'demons or mafia '.

While all these problems persisted , since the inception of Presidenf Muhammadu power generation has improved tremendously in various parts of the country. Nigerians were so sure power outrage was a thing of the past until last week when the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) Mr Joe Ajaero,  came out to shock and warn Nigerians that the Power Generation increase was a momentary feat and was never going to be sustainable. He said " During this time of the year, there is always a slight improvement In power supply because of the rise in water level. That is , the lake goes up and hydro power stations generate more power ." He concluded by saying, "But we fear the current power situation may not be sustainable. Once the rainy season ends and the water level drops, there will be a problem. Again, today all power being generated is being pumped into the system, there is no reserve in case of any break down , and there is no reserve in case of any break down , there is no reserve in case of maintenance and so on. We ought to have reserve for emergencies. Sadly, we do not have at the moment". This raised eyebrows again because, if going by his prediction there is a decline in the generation, then it shows that maybe the Buhari factor has been overemphasised. Mr Ajaero emphasised that the high generation was mainly from the rainy season and high water level which helps the dam aid hydro electricity generation. It is a common knowledge that electricity generation generally increases during the rainy season and hence it is only natural that since the rain started in May, that there will be a slight increase of it's generation . This does not mean that the Buhari factor should be ignored, rather what it means is that to fully give the credit to the present administration then the feat (Increased Electricity Generation) should be sustained. The Power sector needs a total overhaul In order to function optimally and this is yet to be done. While that of the NNPC is highly commendable and already showing positive signs with the appointment of Dr Ibe Kachikwu and the ultimatum to the Warri Refinery to start optimal refining of crude oil on or before 90 days or risk closure. According to Mr Ajaero there is a sabotage by those who pay vandals to vandalise gas pipelines that supply gas for the transmission of electricity , in order for them to be given the contract for the repairs and pocket billions of foreign currency as a result .

It is only when all these are fixed and electricity generation continues to increase , that the present administration can take the credit and applause for the huge feat, otherwise the feat can easily be attributed to seasonal changes. Nigerians are now wiser than before and cannot be fooled on mere propaganda.