Electric power supply has lasted long in Nigeria. Commendably, it has sent its shoots and tentacles into the villages, towns and cities. Along with the provision of such services as TV, good roads, schools etc, village life has become as enjoyable as city life. All over Nigeria, there are two main sources of electricity: the national supply and the electric generator.
Generators are made use of mainly because the national electric supply is not regular. Hence, whether it is in the market or at home, those who can afford it, both companies and individuals, purchase and put on the generator for electric power, when the national supply fails. But generators cost money. It also costs money to keep them running and to maintain them.
Petrol or diesel has to be bought, and these are not always available in Nigeria. Sometimes, there is fuel scarcity, and any available supply is sold at exorbitant prices. If a company relies on generator for electric power supply, production cost is increased.
Electricity has not always been evenly distributed in Nigeria. Sometime ago, in one town, there was an electric power line said to be reserved for VIPs (Very Important persons). Many people discovered that the line used to have electricity more than others and those wealthy enough were said to bribe their way into that line. Today in Nnewi in Anambra state of Nigeria, some parts of the same town, served by certain transformers, receive electric supply more than others.
Because of insufficiency of available electric power, otherwise called “low current,” people no longer fix fluorescence into their houses, because the available voltage cannot sustain it. People have resorted to buying low energy bulbs and fixing into their houses. Those who formerly fixed fluorescent bulbs have had the component filament burnt that is cut.
The supply of electricity in the ‘developed world’ stands in sharp contrast to the supply in Nnewi town of Anambra State. Electricity may not be supplied for several days at a stretch. It is true that the developed countries are economically richer than Nigeria. They have also discovered and utilised different sources of electricity including water dam, geothermal and atomic sources. But the story would be different if Nigeria has effectively managed the ones available.
In Nigeria the individual is not content to wait for government to provide the facilities because it would take indefinite time of going and spending time over and over again if the nations supply company is to do that. People have to buy the materials – poles, cable, etc. and install them. They then call on the supply company merely to connect electricity into the cable.
The Nigeria electricity supply company has been found changing hands from government to private company, still no effective solution has been found. The problem Nigeria has with electric supply can be seen in the different names the supply company has been called at different times, from NEPA (National Electric Power Authority), to NEP Plc, to such names as PHCN (Power Holding Company of Nigeria) and EEDC (Enugu Electricity Distribution Company). In Nigeria, electricity is transmitted through electric poles with electric cables fastened to them. Elsewhere, the ground is dug and electric cables buried underground.
Some parts of Nigeria, like Lagos and Abakaliki have started enjoying regular supply of electricity. Although power may fail, it would be returned not long after, like a few hours. When will Nnewi start to be like that? And the bill in Abakaliki is not much, about five hundred Naira, a month. The basic maintenance fee in Nnewi, called fixed charges is about six hundred and fifty Naira while average consumption may total up to two thousand Naira for those with Meter.
Those without meter may be charged an estimated bill of four thousand Naira. These days, bills are paid immediately or disconnection may follow. It has become common experience that bills may be distributed around the first week of the month and the company will come around, after two weeks, around the third week of the month, with van and ladder to disconnect the electric supply of those who have not paid for the same month.
If electricity can cost five hundred Naira in Abakaliki, why will it cost two or four thousand Naira in Anambra State of the same nation, Nigeria? If Nigerians cannot manage power supply in their own country, they may consider the option of hiring workers from overseas to do the management. This may be more practical. Local directors and managers will have friends and relatives coming around to ask for favour of one thing or the other and this will hamper their good intentions and work habits.
Expatriates or foreign workers may charge high amounts, but the benefits may far outweigh the charges. Many Nigerian roads and bridges have been constructed by foreign companies because local contractors may lack the expertise and machineries used by their foreign counterparts. If foreigners can construct our roads, then foreigners too can be asked to manage our power supply. This can be done until the situation stabilises and then our local managers and directors may be asked to take over.
Electricity has become part and parcel of modern living. With it we cook our meals, pump water, iron our clothes, listen to the radio and watch our TV, so as to know what is happening around us. We use electricity in the industry. With electric power, a nation can grow economically, bread will be available on the table of the common man.
Electric power should be treated as a basic necessity that it is. All hands, both private and government, should be on deck to supply and maintain this basic need. People are crying of eliminating poverty that leads to malnutrition and death. But how can that be done, if the power to be used to do work in not available?
From Ephraim C. Elombah