The only vision for Nigeria

The Nigerian condition amazes me. We continue to have visions of what Nigeria could and should be, depending on the leader of the moment. There is, of course, nothing wrong in dreaming. Dreams are, however, only realised by dint of hard work and actions.

Our current fancy is Vision 2020. But any average Nigerian could have given us a vision it does not take rocket science to do this. Indeed, the only vision for Nigeria is that of power generation and distribution. Uninterrupted power supply 24/7, 365 days a year is a condition precedent before any other vision.

If and only if we solve our power generation challenges can we begin to have other visions. I wish President Yar’Adua can collapse all his seven-point agenda into one; the only one being power generation and distribution. If he can deliver on this, he may yet turn out to be the greatest Nigerian ever, dead or alive.

One cannot begin to imagine the multiplier effect in all sectors of our national life if only we have constant electricity: the real sector of the economy will bounce back to life, the stress and grind of daily life will be ameliorated for the greater majority of Nigerians. We will need no soothsayer to predict that manufacturers intending or that have relocated to Ghana will start migrating back to Nigeria the huge market cannot be ignored-as the cost of production or manufacturing will become competitive. Outfits that have closed shop will begin to think of reopening (imagine Dunlop and Michelin).

You think about it, currently self-power generation constitutes about 35 per cent of the overheads of a typical manufacturing outfit. This is the singular reason why Nigeria is the archetypal manufacturers nightmare.

The classic philosophy of advantages of economies of scale does not apply to power generation in Nigeria as everybody is busy generating for self-use. What baffles one is that we are not asking ourselves to land on the moon (even though some other human beings like us have landed on the moon and returned safely to earth). We are only asking for the application of a technology that has been in existence for over 200 years since Michael Faraday became the father of electricity.

Succinctly, electricity is generated by the rotation of an armature in a magnetic field. It is that simple. We need not reinvent the wheel. It is definitely not asking for too much to live in the 21st Century and not just one miserable step ahead of the stone age period.

When our leaders visit South Africa, Dubai, Europe, Accra (Ghana) or any other regions of the world where their power systems work, one wonders what goes on in their minds. One wonders if they ever think of the sufferings Nigerians are going through. One wonders if they ever make a resolution to put things right when they get back home.

No, all they think about is the next trip to some other exotic region of the world where things work. Meanwhile, their residence in Nigeria is nothing short of a full-fledged municipal entity: the houses have own power generating set, water borehole is a given, gatehouse is manned by security personnel, the ubiquitous septic tank cannot be missed, array of SUVs within the compound, a satellite dish hanging on the roof, etc.

They may pretend that they are living the good life, but they are only as wealthy as what the average Nigerian experiences on a daily basis. The fact is that we are all poor in Nigeria as nobody can be an island onto himself. You think about it the artisans, labourers, househelps, workers, etc are needed by the rich and these people cannot perform beyond what the larger stultifying environment has made them to be.

In any case, the rich cannot sleep with their two eyes closed when the neighbours are angry, frustrated, hungry and going about with a perpetual sense of injustice. Personally, it amazes me that there has not been massive social disorder in the land, although there continue to be pockets of socio-political-cultural and religious upheavals.

We are yet to witness something that is a virtual revolution. Is it a case of suffering and smiling? It has been said that you have to be a masochist to live in Nigeria. And, is it not Wole Soyinka who said that the first condition of humanity is justice. Lack of electricity does not engender justice when the resources are available to generate it.

What are we then to do in these terrible and calamitous times? The following suggestions should be on the front burner for starters. These suggestions may seem simplistic and reductionist but without them we may never obtain the critical mass of a way of thinking and commitment to effect positive change. All the generators in Aso Rock should be removed with immediate effect. When Aso Rock is in darkness, the mind of the president will be concentrated and focused in finding solutions to our energy problems. All generators being used by the legislature should be removed forthwith. Their discomfort may be the tonic needed to make them consider expeditiously bills relating to power sector reforms.

All PHCN workers should sign an undertaking not to use power-generating set either at work or in the homes to keep their jobs. They should walk their talk. The rot in PHCN has more to do with corruption, attitude and work ethics. The Minister of Power should, of course, have no power generating set in his private and official residences. He should be tied to some deliverables and milestones within given time-frames. If he proves incompetent, then he must kiss his ministerial position goodbye. It is about time we made the position one of true service. We do not need a mere titular head.

Unless we effect the foregoing, throwing money at the power sector may be wasted money and we will continue to be in darkness. Think of the billions that have gone down the drain before now. In what ways are we better than our forebears from stone age era? You think about it if you are proud to live in 21st century Nigeria.

Kalesanwo, a company executive wrote from Lagos.