President Umaru Yar’adua provided a 7 point agenda of which he promised to fulfil if he was in power for the full two terms of presidency until 2015. The first agenda and perhaps the most important is power supply. President Yar’adua said in 2007 “Our plan is to launch a national emergency programme on the power sector because we believe that there cannot be any meaningful industrial development without steady power supply.” He said more than 30,000 mega watts of electricity would be released during the first 5 years of his administration. The increase and steady supply of power would help to ensure Nigeria develops as a modern economy and gives it the chance to grow further into an industrial nation. It has now been three years into Yar’adua’s first term it seems we have regressed as a nation. We have more problems than we did before his leadership role commenced.
Nigeria has been experiencing inconsistent power supply for over three decades. Why? A combination of corruption, unsuccessful government and selfish attitudes seem to be the concoction for instability. It seems the fight for constant electricity is one which must be fought by us- those being governed, not the government. A group of Nigerians have taken on the responsibility of attempting to realise this one agenda which appears to be a daily topic for Nigerians.
“LightUpNigeria is a movement which has arisen out of necessity in reaction to the current problem with power supply in Nigeria. The movement aims to highlight the problems caused by the lack of constant power supply in Nigeria and raise awareness of the situation globally.”
I ask, what will it take to provide constant electricity to homes and businesses? Electricity should not be seen as a luxury; it should be as basic an amenity as air and water. Light Up Nigeria was an initiative created by the youth in our society, it does not aim to be a political campaign or organization they can see that lack of power supply is crippling the growth and economy of our country and the movement is demanding attention and action from the government at all levels. I understand there are enormous potentials and investment opportunities in various Nigerian sectors from tourism to telecommunications. But, I agree that the one main impediment to the development of this country is power supply, more specifically, the lack of it.
Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly attempted to rejuvenate and actualize the target of producing 6000 megawatts of electricity. The likelihood that this will be achieved alongside the President’s proposed “Vision 2020, ″ is currently unimaginable. Nigeria is often commended as the heartbeat of Africa, but compare us to Ghana that exhibits stable governance and electricity… Electricity seems to be the major restriction towards any country’s progress, without ample electricity supply we cannot achieve anything substantial. Nigeria misses new investment and business opportunities due to the intrinsic power issues. Companies already in Nigeria have also cited that the power shortage is a major reason they are willing to relocate; it is financially viable for them to be in a country that provides constant electricity so as to reduce costs. As companies leave the country, they take job opportunities with them, which inevitably affects the country’s rising unemployment state.
Numerous unanswered questions still plague my mind- how can Nigeria be the 7th most crude oil producing country in the world, yet we suffer from petrol scarcity and inconsistent power? We produce energy yet we do not spread the good energy amongst ourselves. We extract and extort; only allowing a minority of Nigerian citizens reap the benefits. How can we accept the uncertainty about the current condition of our president, which to me is simply unheard of? At such a critical time, I would expect a real leader to stand up and advise his nation and speak honestly about his questionable health. If he cannot stand firm in the face of adversity how can we take his policies seriously. After all, Nigeria still has power supply issues; in my house, I have not had any form of light for over three weeks. How is this an improvement? I beg of our next leader, do not stand up and deceive the nation. Humility is a far more respectable trait to possess than dishonesty.
The time has come my fellow Nigerians, where we take matters into our hands. We should no longer have to complain without any action being taken. We can be the livewire to inject electricity into our beloved country. The power we can supply as a united community is the initial step towards tangible change. Lets us join the revolution to Light Up Nigeria! If you only do one thing this week, please make sure you visit: www.lightupnigeria.org and show your support. It is time we are heard and our voices are shouting, Enough is Enough! Light up Nigeria!
yep good read!
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