Vanguard - Nigerians are set to face a nationwide electric blackout during the upcoming Christmas/New Year holidays.

According to a report from the Vanguard Newpapers, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the institution responsible for managing electricity in the country has adviced citizens that “as a result of repeated vandalism caused of condensate pipelines by yet to be identified persons engaged in illegal bunkering, gas supply to power stations has been repeatedly disrupted and Egbin power station, the largest power station is losing about 800Mw, while other thermal stations are losing about 350Mw, totalling 1,150Mw reduction from the national grid”

Enough of the big grammer. The implicaton of this is that most ordinary Nigerians will celebrate Christmas and New Year without electric power. Even those that have power generators are likely to be affected since fuel/petrol supply is limited in supply as well, expecially during holiday seasons.

This is total shame again on the federal government. One will recall time and time again, that most of the elected officials both in the legislative and executive arm of government promised at various times during the election campaign to make power supply a priority once they get elected. OBJ promised stable electricity for all within six or so months of his presidency, Yar’Adua made a similar promise. Now, one hardly hears President Yar’Adua make any policy statement on electricity since assumption of office.

How can Nigeria aspire to be in the league of developed countries anytime soon, if we don’t have stable power supply? How will foreign investors be convinced of doing business in the country with this type of epileptic service? How can there be sustainable development of our industrial and agricultural sectors without constant electricity and fuel supply? How can Nigerians in diaspora be convinced to come back home to settle down?

Those in leadership positions may not feel the crunch, since their power consumption is not based on PHCN or NEPA. They totally depend on fuel powered generators 24/7, so one wonders how this will ever be a priority for them. Also, corruption and enrichment of pockets seem to have engulfed our leaders rather than any other business of state. The share of the “National Cake” is a better focus for those in authority, going by recent cases of corruption, embezzelment of public funds, bogus contracts, luxurious living at the detriment of the common man, and open thuggery by some.

Nigeria needs help!

Read the full story on the Vanguard Newspaper online: http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2623&Itemid=0

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