Power supply in Nigeria

One of the seven-point agenda of the present President of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua is adequate electricity generation and supply. Months after the inauguration of his government, we are still groping in darkness.

In August 2007, at the opening of a presidential retreat for ministers, permanent secretaries and special advisers, the president Yar'Adua said the Federal Government of Nigeria has set up a council on energy to drive its plan for the sector. The council that is set up will amongs other issues, invites experts in power and gas to chart a course for development in the power sector. The president also went ahead to say that after the inauguration of the council, government would declare national emergency on the power sector to give it the needed attention

'...without adequate electricity generation, no nation can transform into a
modern economy so we need to treat it as a critical infrastructure that needs to
be addressed seriously'.

Almost one year after the swearing in of the president and his cabinet especially the minister for power and energy, we are yet to see the dividend of democracy as it concerns electicity and its availability to users in Nigeria. Even months after the inauguration of the so called national council on energy, we are still in the dark. There is no electricity and no emergency has been declared yet by the president. We know that politicians thrives on rhetorics and vain promises but in this case, Nigerians need an urgent solution to this horrible situation. The reasons for lack of electicity are endless. At times, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) will say there is no rainfall, no water in the dam, no transformers, no personnel and other stories to support their inefficiencies and the government is not doing anything.
Provision of electricity is part of the responsibility of government so when will the government of Nigeria wake up to its responsibility? How long would we wait ? When will the government meets the needs and the demands of their people? Why is it difficult to meet the electricity requirements of Nigerians? Is the cabal in PHCN responsibility for this lack of electricity for usage? Is the goverment agency conniving with generators importers/sellers to deprive Nigerians electricity.
In festive periods, the supply of electricity is always so bad that PHCN resort to load shedding or no electricity for days.
All these years the slogan has been ' efforts are made to increase electricity supply'. When will the slogan change to 'we have enough supply of electricity to meet the demands of Nigerians'.
May God help us and give us credible and honest leaders who will come to make a positive difference in the lives of Nigerians. Enough of vain promises.