Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, has expressed deep concerns over the perennial power situation in the country, recording 141 times of national grid collapse in 11 years and calls for urgent pragmatic solutions.

Obi noted that Nigeria has only 13,000mw while the demands are about 200,000mw

He said that even with the 13,000mw, only about 3,500mw are available for homes and business­es, noting that the situation puts Nigeria as the lowest per capita wattage in the world.

In an article, titled, ‘The Col­lapsing Electricity Sector’, the former Abia state governor, said, “The Ni­geria electricity supply industry faces real and present danger of collapse despite the efforts made in more than two decades to initi­ate a reform of the NESI.

“It is sad today that we suffer periodic and routinised system collapses that are attributed to such avoidable situations as fire outbreaks at critical transmission lines across our major cities. It is absolutely distressing and a sto­ry of a low level of managerial capability that the entire nation can be plunged into total darkness for a reasonable period because networks go out because of a lack of diligent attention.

“It should worry any Nigerian patriot that the total installed ca­pacity for a country of more than 200 million people with an aspira­tion to become a global medium economy power is a mere 13,000. Worse still, only about 3,500mw are available for homes and busi­nesses from the grid. Sometimes, it grinds to less than 2,500mw. This is unacceptable.

“We can contrast the available supply of electricity with compet­itor countries in Africa like Egypt and South Africa with respective populations of approximately 112m and 59.6m people supply­ing about 60,000mw and 58,000, respectively.

This difference in en­ergy wattage has massive impli­cations for human development and economic growth. Nigeria today has the world’s lowest per capita wattage in the world, lower than those of most of our West Af­rican neighbours. It is really sad that whereas our energy demand is above 200,000mws, we have only 13,000mw installed capacity and can only deliver regularly less than 4,000mw.

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“After speaking with experts in the sector I have realised that the crisis of power supply in Nige­ria relates to two major sectors: (1) generation, and (2) transmission and distribution. The major chal­lenges of the generation sector are the lack of a regular supply of gas arising from the failure of the government in the last 8 years to provide adequate gas infrastruc­ture facilities, weak commercial­ity of gas to power and failure to control the restiveness of angry youths leading to vandalism.

“It is shameful that for more than 8 years we cannot resolve the infrastructural bottlenecks that constrain the supply of gas to power plants despite billions from CBN for legacy gas debts.

“On the transmission and distribution side, the last 8 years have witnessed terrible failure to overcome the deterioration of networks and transmission and distribution networks and invest in modern technologies like SCA­DA leading to poor coverage, lack of effective coordination between TCN and discos leading to load re­jection and inability to generate public trust for policy reform on tariff and leading to low private sector investments.

“If we had a good project man­ager, we would have massively in­creased generation, transmission and distribution capacity and en­hanced policy coherence that would have crowded private sector invest­ment in the degree to sustained rap­id growth of the grid. The problem is that the government have exer­cised the required political will to appoint the right kind of leadership that understands the problems of the sector and has the singular ded­ication and competence to create quick wins in the short term and transformation in the medium to long term.

“I suggest that the Federal Government immediately consti­tute a technical task force of real professionals without political consideration to present a diag­nosis of the crisis of the sector and to get to work to correct such simple slippage like incessant fire outbreaks that lead to perennial system collapse, drastically im­prove coordination and coher­ence between TCN and DisCos so there will be no load rejection, and breath down on all operators to deliver on their technical respon­sibilities.

“This will rapidly improve power availability in the short term while the government develop clarity to articulate an integrated national electricity policy and a practical implemen­tation roadmap that harmonises national and sub-national elec­tricity reform efforts to ensure rapid and expansive delivery of reliable, adequate, and affordable electricity.

“We are too endowed to be a nation of generators and to be trapped in darkness. We cannot grow our economy in darkness.”

The Jericho Metro Rotary Club, Ibadan Chapter, in partnership with Ken & George, USA, on Tuesday, distributed food items to Eighty adhoc staff of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, who clean the metropolitan roadsides.

While presenting the palliatives to the beneficiaries, the President, Rotary Club, Jericho Metro, Mr. Damilola Olaleye commended the Oyo State government for standing out in its efforts at maintaining and sustaining a healthy and clean environment.

He explained that its members, home and abroad, would, as always, join in partnership to cater for the less privileged in the Pace Setter state, Nigeria, and the world at large.

The Honourable Commissioner of Environment & Natural Resources, Architect AbdulMojeed Olawale Mogbonjubola, commended the leadership of the Jericho Metro Rotary Club, Ibadan for the kind gesture and partnership.

Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary and Director of Forestry, Mr. Moradeyo Sunday, he described the gesture as being in line with the SafER program of the present administration to alleviate poverty in society.

He maintained that the act exhibited by Rotary Club would further boost the morale of the staffers.

While responding, the recipients showered encomium to both the Jericho Metro Rotary Club and the present administration.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II on Tuesday reaffirmed that the capability of Nigeria to lead the continent of Africa to compete healthily in the global market with standard goods particularly when it comes to carbonated drinks, beverages and its likes.

Flanked by his queen, Olori Mariam Anako-Ogunwusi, the Ooni who doubles as Co-Chairman, National Council Of Traditional Rulers Of Nigeria (NCTRN) made this known while unveiling Tingo Cola and Tingo Electric; a Flavoured Carbonated and Energy drinks respectively, produced by Tingo B.V. PLC; a spin off company from Ojaja Pan Africa Limited, explaining that Nigeria has a lot to offer the world.

“It has been my dream from childhood to have a brand that will satisfactorily produce quality drinks that will serve Nigerians, present the country as a leader in the African market and at the global stage.

“Currently, we have the license under which we are producing Tingo Cola, Tingo Electra, Tingo Twist (Cucumber and Cranberry) and Tingo Booze Fruit Mix. All these are produced and packaged in Nigeria with recourse to our values and standards. All to be properly integrated with Ojaja bitters, Orange, Lemon/Ginger/Orange drinks. Also most importantly, we should all work towards elevating our home grown brands instead of demarketing them. Ooni Ogunwusi said.

About his involvement in commercial activities through these products, Ooni Ogunwusi stressed that, “I have taken it upon myself to step into the market not as businessman but as a pathfinder who will show our people how to add value for international standard in production to distribution and consumption. It is new model which will be a win- win for everyone.

“This product is 100% made in Nigeria. This product is an exportable product that will be accepted anywhere in the world. It’s a dream come through and I knew that one day, I would be a part to an establishment the would design, conceptualise and produce a drink that would be fully the pride of Africa.

“With this, I am targeting a total of five million direct and indirect jobs for the youths particularly through retailing, recycling and other forms of distributorship fully driven by technology. The youths are the drivers of this initiative and we are determined to achieve this through a very unique proven technology and innovation. Under our Unified ecosystem of “dmore we are together, the happier we shall be”

Speaking in the same light, Ayoola Olaide; the Group Managing Director, Tingo Foods, explained that the products which are certified by concerned regulators in the country led by NAFDAC, are safe for consumption and beneficial to the entire body system with its uniqueness.

“For instance, the Tingo Cola is laced with Lemon flavor and other beautiful contents while we have others dignified with cucumber, cranberry and other natural ingredients. This amplifies our originality and stands us out in the highly competitive market.

“The peak of it is our father, the Ooni of Ife who has taken over and now taking the operations beyond what people used to know. Kabiyesi has recreated a new order through which excellence is assured.” Ayoola said.

In their separate testimonies, Dr. Reuben Abati (Veteran Journalist), Hon. Desmond Elliot (Lagos State Assembly Member) and other top personalities described the drinks as unique and perfect with no blemish whatsoever.

The event was attended by notable Yoruba Traditional Rulers and other dignitaries including the Nasarawa State governor, Alh. Abdullahi Sule represented by the state Anthony General, Abdul Kareem Abubakar Kana, The Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, The Alara of Ilara -Lagos, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, The Ateyese of Aramoko Ekiti, HRH Olusegun Aderemi, The ERELU Oodua, Princess Dr. Abiola Dosumu, Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade (Iyalaje Oodua), ace broadcaster, Dr. Reuben Abati, member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Desmond Elliot, members of the Ife Royal family led by the Sooko Laekun, Prince Adegboyega Ogunwusi and a host of others.