TheNewsGuru

Tag: Power

  • Covid-19: The powerlessness of power – Udeme Nana

    By Udeme Nana

    At the last count , the mighty queen of England, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11 , her 71- year- old first son, Prince Charles and the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the man who dragged Great Britain out of Europe got infected by coronavirus disease – 19, an unseen fatal protein cooked in China.

    The United States of America, in all its wealth and glory is thoroughly shaken and damaged economically . Italians have never seen anything like this horror of mass burials in peace time and to add salt to injury, COVID – 19 struck first at the Vatican, the seat of the Pope, a mortal reputed to be the “representative of the Lord Jesus Christ on Earth”!

    Did the Lord Jesus Christ stop diseases , calm the sea and raise the dead ?
    Yes , but has anyone presently on Earth risen to such a challenge successfully ?
    Not to my knowledge !.

    That is an indication of the powerlessness of power.

    The high streets of first world countries including Germany and France have become desolate. The private jets and yatchs of top billionaires are moored and holiday hot spots are empty.

    The suites in bespoke hospitality facilities lie without patrons.In one word, the world has been shut down all on account of COVID – 19, the pandemic which this columnist chose to call the white death given how it has ravaged and impacted more in geographical areas which hitherto christened and painted every bad thing and occurrence in black colour. In their twisted world view, the son of God and Saviour of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ is white skinned while Lucifer , nicknamed Satan is ugly and black.Those racists ignore the fact that both were Angels in the same realm before the fall as the Bible clearly informs.

    COVID – 19 is therefore a leveller , just like the social media has levelled the height of everyone in the world.
    The pandemic has also caused a rude awakening by turning drastically, the focus to sectors which wielders of temporary power unfortunately took for granted. Until now, politicians held power, they carressed and worshipped it, they made people to perceive them as life and death but in the wake of COVID – 19 , every house of parliament, every chamber , red , green or paintless has been deserted.Political mountaintops have become plainland and COVID – 19 is having a hearty laugh.

    Even those who wear long ecclesiastical caps and luzurious robes have become terribly exposed as mere men and women who lack the power they claimed to possess before now.It would take another edition to make effort at reviewing some lessons but this piece is to highlight the futility of acting “powerful” in any stead because such a stance is futile. Since political power seems to have failed in the wake of this raging pandemic , it is pertinent to urge world authorities and the people to return to the old saying that “health is wealth” and deploy funds to the health sector for a total overhaul and update of infrastructure because methinks COVID – 19 is just a :toss for start”, a drop and if it rains further, it would pour as a deluge.

    Health professionals, from the least in the ranks to experienced Consultants should be adequately remunerated , and relevant work tools provided for them because as soldiers at the frontline of wars of this nature, they are vulnerable. Another critical concern is the need for insurance for such important personnel in the society. They are the ones who have the “power” to fight and they have to be energised, all round, to go out there and fight passionately without looking back.
    Why does a country like Nigeria care more about the powerless politicians in the society with all manner of allowances when those who have the power to fight even invisible diseases earn peanuts and are treated wretchedly.

    For crying out loud, education of the citizenry is also very vital.It takes an educated lot to understand and obey simple instructions meant for ones wellbeing.On the other hand, poorly educated persons would continue to carry on , thumping their chest saying ” there is nothing there” even when they hear about the death tally , see the line up of coffins in Italy and the empty streets in better developed countries.
    At a time like this, when the powerlessness of the political class and so many other sectors become real, healthcare and education show up as king.The two sectors with sustainable power in the world.
    A word , they say, is enough for the wise.

  • The Powerlessness of Power, By Udeme Nana

    By UDEME NANA.

    At the last count , the mighty queen of England, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11 , her 71- year- old first son, Prince Charles and the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the man who dragged Great Britain out of Europe got infected by coronavirus disease – 19, an unseen fatal protein cooked in China.

    The United States of America, in all its wealth and glory is thoroughly shaken and damaged economically . Italians have never seen anything like this horror of mass burials in peace time and to add salt to injury, COVID – 19 struck first at the Vatican, the seat of the Pope, a mortal reputed to be the “representative of the Lord Jesus Christ on Earth”!

    Did the Lord Jesus Christ stop diseases , calm the sea and raise the dead ? Yes , but has anyone presently on Earth risen to such a challenge successfully? Not to my knowledge !. That is an indication of the powerlessness of power.
    The high streets of first world countries including Germany and France have become desolate. The private jets and yatchs of top billionaires are moored and holiday hot spots are empty.

    The suites in bespoke hospitality facilities lie without patrons.In one word, the world has been shut down all on account of COVID – 19, the pandemic which this columnist chose to call the white death given how it has ravaged and impacted more in geographical areas which hitherto christened and painted every bad thing and occurrence in black colour. In their twisted world view, the son of God and Saviour of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ is white skinned while Lucifer , nicknamed Satan is ugly and black.Those racists ignore the fact that both were Angels in the same realm before the fall as the Bible clearly informs.

    COVID – 19 is therefore a leveller , just like the social media has levelled the height of everyone in the world.
    The pandemic has also caused a rude awakening by turning drastically, the focus to sectors which wielders of temporary power unfortunately took for granted. Until now, politicians held power, they carressed and worshipped it, they made people to perceive them as life and death but in the wake of COVID – 19 , every house of parliament, every chamber , red , green or paintless has been deserted.Political mountaintops have become plainland and COVID – 19 is having a hearty laugh.

    Even those who wear long ecclesiastical caps and luzurious robes have become terribly exposed as mere men and women who lack the power they claimed to possess before now.It would take another edition to make effort at reviewing some lessons but this piece is to highlight the futility of acting “powerful” in any stead because such a stance is futile. Since political power seems to have failed in the wake of this raging pandemic , it is pertinent to urge world authorities and the people to return to the old saying that “health is wealth” and deploy funds to the health sector for a total overhaul and update of infrastructure because methinks COVID – 19 is just a :toss for start”, a drop and if it rains further, it would pour as a deluge.

    Health professionals, from the least in the ranks to experienced Consultants should be adequately remunerated , and relevant work tools provided for them because as soldiers at the frontline of wars of this nature, they are vulnerable.

    Another critical concern is the need for insurance for such important personnel in the society. They are the ones who have the “power” to fight and they have to be energised, all round, to go out there and fight passionately without looking back.

    Why does a country like Nigeria care more about the powerless politicians in the society with all manner of allowances when those who have the power to fight even invisible diseases earn peanuts and are treated wretchedly.

    For crying out loud, education of the citizenry is also very vital.It takes an educated lot to understand and obey simple instructions meant for ones wellbeing.On the other hand, poorly educated persons would continue to carry on , thumping their chest saying ” there is nothing there” even when they hear about the death tally , see the line up of coffins in Italy and the empty streets in better developed countries.

    At a time like this, when the powerlessness of the political class and so many other sectors become real, healthcare and education show up as king.The two sectors with sustainable power in the world.

    A word , they say, is enough for the wise.

  • Forces behind Sanusi’s removal intoxicated by power – Shehu Sani

    A former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, on Monday, said those behind the dethronement of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, displayed “the intolerance and toxicity of the liquor of power”.

    Sani said the Northern Elders Forum had waded into the misunderstanding between the deposed Emir and the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, but failed to make the two parties reach a truce.

    He tweeted, “The removal of Emir Sanusi represents the incompatibility of the crown and conscience, the consequences of dissent against established norms and the heavy price of holding principles in our north. It also revealed the intolerance and toxicity of the liquor of power.”

  • David and the abuse of power, By Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

    David and the abuse of power, By Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

    Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

    When a person is given a position of authority, his attitude to wealth, wine and women reveals the real person. The greatest warrior in the world is a person who wield victory over his or her temperaments. A follow up to this is the extent a person can control his appetites for food, drink and sex. Abuse of power and authority can be perceived in the desire for illegitimate private gain in carrying out official duties. This takes the form of bullying, harassing behaviour, using staff for personal favour, pressuring staff to distort facts and encouraging corruption. Abuse of power can occur when those in authority assume absolute freedom to create a high self-esteem with the money that is budgeted for the common good. To think that you are not accountable to anybody or those you serve except your Superior is dangerous. This is a serious disservice to the people (cf. https://www.google.com, May, 11, 2018).

    David was a man of integrity who earned fame by killing Goliath (1 Samuel 17). He was a warrior who had conquered the lion and the bear such that “David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:34-37). David saved the life of Saul who wanted to kill him out of jealousy. He respected the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 24: 1-22). He knew the value of friendship and so wept for Jonathan his friend and King Saul (2 Samuel 1). He did not celebrate the death of his son Absalom. He mourned him even though he committed treason by trying to overthrow him and kill him (2 Samuel 18).

    Given these qualities, David became the King of Israel and Judah by popular demand, choose and acclamation. David was a warrior over everything except his own selfish temperamentsand passion. He could not win victory over his lust. He was ready to do evil to satisfy his lust. The people of Israel demanded a king who would lead them to war. David ignored his role of Commander in Chief who was anointed to lead the people to war (1 Samuel 8: 4-6). “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 11: 1). “One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant” (2 Samuel 11: 2-4)

    David responded like a dictator. He “sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house (2 Samuel 11: 6-9).David did not bother about the ethics of war whereas Uriah who was a Hittite kept the rule of not sleeping with his wife during war. “Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing” (2 Samuel 11).

    David proceeded to commit murder by killing Uriah the Hittite”(2 Samuel 11:14-17). In the platform of Mission and Dialogue, different scholars commented on this incident of David in African context. Sr. Prof. Teresa Okure SHCJ says that,“Dictators and tyrants succeed because people sheepishly obey them against their own God-given conscience. David asked someone to call him the wife of Uriah, a “pagan”; the person did. He sent message to Joab to send Uriah to him; Joab did. He did his very best to get Uriah to go home and have intercourse with his wife so as to cover up his sin. Uriah refused because military law forbade sexual intercourse during combat time. Had Uriah lost or betrayed his personal integrity, there would have been no story such as we have today. David sent Uriah back to Joab with gruesome instructions to kill him and many others in the process. Joab did. Uriah died. But lives on in the story. Without his integrity, David would have used his kingly power and authority to commit crime and get away with it. We need to be aware of the different ways in which we participate in collaborative criminality.”

    Here the Nigerian rulers need self-examination. God forbids that the cunny way David enabled the death of Uriah is not what is happening to the Nigerian Soldiers who are being killed by the terrorists! Fr. Dr. Clement Anaedevha from the Mission and Dialogue platform “strongly suggest that the sincerity of the government and the governors of the states where the highest percentage of perpetuation are recorded must be questioned and brought to book before constructive dialogue can continue. At the moment, what we are doing lacks true foundation that can endure the test of time. Yet, whatever must be done should be urgent.” On the killing of many innocent people just because David want to kill one person, Uriah to cover his iniquities, Fr. Charles Esirah Bassey from the same platform expressed the pain he is feeling for the innocent people that are being killed and displaced in Nigeria. He calls on the Religious leaders to be the voice of the voiceless because “we do not want the disaster of another civil war.” When incessant killings and deaths occur when there is no war, it becomes abnormal and evil.

    This is why the political leadership should ensure that people are put in positions based on pure merit and be courageous to remove those who are not performing up to expectation. Would the call by the Nigerian House of Representatives for the removal of Military Service Chiefs change the insecurity climate in Nigeria (https./www.cfr.blog-nigeria)? I think the Honorable House could go beyond this given that the average Nigerian needs mental re-engineering, clear vision, change of negative attitude, redefinition of values, and aggressive recognition of professionalism of Nigerians in executing individual and national missions. The killers in Nigeria need to be arrested and reformed instead of a distinguished member of the house to take the floor of the house and talk nothing but a display of his four wives is an abuse of power and disservice to a nation where uncountable wives and children are kidnapped and killed on a daily basis. We need to reexamine our psyche, attitude, orientation and horizon. So help us Oh Almighty God.

    Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC -nirec.ng@gmail.com) & The Secretary General of the West Africa Inter-Religious Council (WA-IRC – wairc.rfp@gmail.com).

  • TCN restores power 24hours after national grid collapse

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that the national gird has been fully restored after the system collapse which occurred at about 16.15 hours on Thursday, while the grid was recovering from an earlier partial system disturbance.

    Full restoration of the grid was achieved at about 2:19 am, on Friday, said the General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah in a statement on Friday.

    According to her, the initial disturbance of the grid which occurred at about 12.34pm Thursday was a partial collapse of the system, as the grid was still supplying Port-Harcourt, Aba, Omoku, Yenegoa, Afam among others, through Afam IV, Rivers IPP and Omoku Power Stations.

    The statement added that efforts immediately commenced to synchronize other parts of the network but as restoration reached advanced stage, the situation suddenly degenerated into a collapse of the nation’s grid.

    Mbah said that “Full restoration of the grid re-commenced immediately after the incident and by 10 pm Thursday, most parts of the nation had been reconnected to the grid, at about 2:19 am, however, the grid was fully restored.

    “Management wishes to inform Nigerians that TCN is not relenting in its efforts to completely stabilize the grid.

    “However, due to the fact that the National Grid is still being operated with zero spinning reserve, system instability like what was witnessed yesterday cannot be totally avoided.

    “TCN solicits the support and understanding of Nigerians as the company continues to work to modernize the Grid.”

  • Nigeria lost N4bn to electricity workers strike

    The industrial action undertaken by members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) on Wednesday may have cost the country over N4 billion with nationwide outages.

    NUEE called off the strike yesterday after meeting with the Federal Government.

    Reports reveal that at least N1.9bn is lost on a normal daily basis when power generation is at an average 3,850 megawatts (MW), record of daily Energy Report by the Advisory Power Team, Office of the Vice President for September 2019 indicates.

    However, in the case of Wednesday’s strike, the national grid was said to have fallen lower than 1,000MW and at some point to a complete shutdown as the union locked out electricity workers across major power generation stations, transmission stations and the distribution stations.

    Experts in the power sector said the losses were unquantifiable but could be over N4bn just for the electricity industry alone.

    As at Tuesday before the strike action commenced, the peak power generation was 4,047.2MW but dropped to abysmally lower figures on Wednesday due to non-operation of the plants.

    NUEE said it protested the non-payment of salaries, pensions and other entitlements across the privatised power firms. NUEE had earlier given a 21-day notice in a letter written to the Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman to intervene in the issue.

    The duration however elapsed on Tuesday, forcing the NUEE members with support from the umbrella body of Trade Union Congress (TUC) to protest. Our reporter observed that electricity workers at the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) joined in the protest.

    The union blamed the Federal Ministry of Power for failing to act within the warning period.

    A copy of the letter seen on Wednesday by this paper was signed by the National President of NUEE, Comrade Joe Ajaero. The union said all the power firms must comply with their terms.

    Some of these include remittance of pensions due to all the engaged staff of the DisCos, Generation Companies (GenCos) and other power firms, most of them transferred from the defunct PHCN after the power sector privatization in 2013.

  • Works, Housing, Power gulp N389bn of 2020 budget

    The ministries of Works and Housing, Power and Transportation gulped a chunk of the 2020 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    The Works and Housing (262 billion), Power N127 billion and Transportation (N123 billion) reiterated the government’s resolve to focus and capitalise on capital projects.

    President Buhari said although the government’s actual spending has reduced, it plans to leverage on private sector funding through our tax credit schemes will ensure our capital programmes are sustained.

    “For example, we launched the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, pursuant to which I have approved the construction and rehabilitation of 19 Nigerian roads and bridges of 794.4km across 11 states,” he said.

    “Indeed, the scheme has attracted private investment of over N205 billion and the first set of tax credits are being processed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

    “As I mentioned during my Independence Day Speech, under the Presidential Power Initiative, we will modernise the national grid in 3 phases; starting from 5 gigawatts to 7 gigawatts, then to 11 gigawatts by 2023, and finally 25 gigawatts afterwards in collaboration with the German government and Siemens.”

    Below is the breakdown by the President

    Universal Basic Education Commission: N112 billion;

    Defence: N100 billion;

    Zonal Intervention Projects: N100 billion;

    Agriculture and Rural Development: N83 billion;

    Water Resources: N82 billion;

    Niger Delta Development Commission: N81 billion;

    Education: N48 billion;

    Health: N46 billion;

    Industry, Trade and Investment: N40 billion;

    North East Development Commission: N38 billion;

    Interior: N35 billion;

    Social Investment Programmes: N30 billion;

    Federal Capital Territory: N28 billion; and

    Niger Delta Affairs Ministry: N24 billion.

  • The Power of the Human Mind, By Cornelius Omonokhua

    The Power of the Human Mind, By Cornelius Omonokhua

    By Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

    When I was growing up, my father used to say to me, “my son, the mind makes a man.” My mother made me believe that malice and jealousy are obstacles to growth and the development of the human mind. As an adult, I came to understand why my parents debriefed me of some things that could have destroyed my peace of mind. Life experiences have given me a deeper meaning of these biblical counsels: “Do not let your heart be troubled” (John 14:1). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6-7). “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Given that what makes a human person different from other animals is intellectual capacity and reasoning faculty, we need to examine the power of the human mind. The aim is to examine how the mind is formed to build authentic character in human development. This may help us in our various relationships and learn to coexist with a person with abnormal personality. This is important because human beings did not grow with equal opportunities. This also explains why you need to love even those who do not wish you well and those who hate you.

    In Neuropsychology, the brain controls the mind, which has no independent existence outside of the chemical reactions and patterns which constantly fire inside our brains. Neuro-biologists have long held that the brain exclusively drives the mind, and that the mind serves only the individual self (https://www.bing.com/search). The power of the mind depends on the development of the brain at different stages of growth. Nancy Guberti classifies the brain development into five stages. The first stage is from pregnancy to the age of two. At this stage the neurons and connections are growing. The pregnant woman is therefore advised to stay away from stress as much as possible. Nancy recommends that the pregnant woman could take folic acid, B6 and B12 to stimulate the young developing brain with sounds and sensations. At this stage mothers should avoid toxins, cigarettes, heavy metals, alcohol, drugs and anger. This time also calls for the tender loving care of the husband and the people around the pregnant mother.

    The second stage is from the age of two to six years. This is the development of voluntary movement, reasoning, perception, frontal lobes active in development of emotions, attachments, planning, working memory, and perception. A sense of self is developing and life experiences shape the emotional wellbeing. By the age six, the brain is ninety-five percent its adult weight and peak of energy consumption. The need for a nurturing environment and daily individualized communication is indispensable for the proper development of the brain. Negative or harsh treatment may come with emotional consequences in the future. Parents have a lot to do at this stage. In ancient Africa, this is the time to tell children stories of brave ancestors, wise sages who have made great contributions to the community. Children must not be left alone at this stage. They need practical lessons on different ethics of life. Parents should not leave their children for the whims and caprices of house maids, and nursery / primary school teachers.

    The third stage is from the age of seven to twenty-two years. At this stage, the neural connections or ‘grey’ matter is still pruning, wiring of brain still in progress, the fatty tissues surrounding neurons or ‘white’ matter increase and assist with speeding up electrical impulses and stabilize connections. The prefrontal cortex is the last to mature and it involves the control of impulses and decision-making. This is why teenagers need to learn to control reckless, irrational and irritable behavior. Avoiding drugs, alcohol and unprotected sex at this stage would save the society from kidnapping, terrorism and other criminal activities. This is the age where teachers in higher schools need to handle the students in a way and manner that transcends mere knowledge to real formation that can inspire wisdom. Efficient training gives value to life and the dignity of the human person.

    The fourth stage is from the age of twenty-three to sixty-five years. This is the stage when the brain reaches its peak power. The last to mature and the first to go are the brain functionality of executive control occurring in the prefrontal and temporal cortices. Memory for recalling episodes start to decline, processing speed slows and working memory is storing less information. At this stage, the best approach is to stay mentally active, learn new things, stay physically active and eat a very healthy diet. At this stage it is important to avoid toxins, cigarettes, alcohol and mind-altering drugs. The fifth stage is above sixty-five years. This is when the brain cells are lost in the critical areas such as the hippocampus responsible for processing memories. Here it is necessary to learn new skills, practice mediation to promote neutral emotions, exercise to improve abstract reasoning and concentration. Those at this stage need to avoid stress or incorporate stress reducing mediation and exercises. It is important to eat a healthy diet with foods to nourish one’s level of dopamine at this stage of life (https://nancyguberti.com/5-stages-of-human-brain-development/)

    Looking at the above stages of growth, we may be able to identify the stage some of the criminals in our society deviated from authentic life in the process of growth. We can also discover the point of our awareness or the stages we made mistakes in life. Among the comments on my article “THE MAMMAL AND THE HUMAN ANIMAL” that was published on Sunday, June 16, 2019 by Daily Trust and other print media was that of my friend, Imondu Adodo. He agreed that humans have unique characteristics and a number of similarities with other mammals. The special attachment to instinctively care and nurture extends to a sense of security and feeling of biological connection. He sees in human beings love put into action. That means being really present and available. He emphasized a firm foundation for human capacity that must begin with child formation with the expression: “Feed the young with the milk of life, the type that will not depart from the mouth even at old age.” Bring up your children and family in such a way that the values, vision and principles of life will continually be their guard and guide.

    Given the importance of developing the mind, we must examine in our world today the quality of socialization especially in African nations. Do we value our unique gifts and appreciate the gifts of others? Is it not the case that instead of developing our minds, we waste our energies on trying to bring down those we think are doing better than us? What are we doing about the failing family institution and falling standard of education? We ought to be living the good life in thought and action, selfless devotion to the world and humanity. The Church of today must make available the milk of life because we are dwarfed by the semblance of organized hypocrisy. We have been pulled apart from one another and from our communities. Everyone is just off doing their own thing. We seem to be in a strange and contradictory moment in history. The brain does not function in a vacuum. It is what one puts in that one gets out. May our secular and religious institutions appreciate the audacity of the mind such that merit, proficiency and efficiency will be considered in accordance with individual capacity and competence in assigning duties and positions. “You are your mind” so we must use the power of our minds to build and not to destroy.

    Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) (nirec.ng@gmail.com)

  • Unbundling the power, works & housing ministry

    By Paul Ojenagbon,pauloje2000@yahoo.com

    It was the biggest gamble to merge Power, Works & Housing into a humongous Ministry in 2016 following the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari. A more focused nation would never dare that. It was clearly an unthinkable thing to do. No nation still wallowing in the throes of development would attempt to place the most critical sectors of its economy under the control of a super minister. It is akin to laying all one’s eggs in one basket! What it means is that if the minister failed, the entire nation would ultimately fail in all these important indexes of development. Even the developed nations with perhaps lesser risks to take would not attempt it. If the thinking was to curtail the administrative overhead of running these key ministries separately, it follows that the magnitude of the resultant failure now staring the nation in the face has been more monumental not only on the economy but also on Nigerians generally.

    Give it to him, Babatunde Fashola was an excellent performer as governor in Lagos which probably informed his being given this portfolio but like most Nigerians am yet to see a commensurate performance as minister in charge of the consolidated ministry. Instead, it has been baskets of excuses why Nigerians are not enjoying reasonable power supply. Most times, Fashola speaks on power situation in the country; his oft bloated assessment is starkly different from the reality on the ground.

    As I write this piece, my area has been in darkness for three days not because the transformer has broken down but for reasons that only EKEDC can adduce. Not all of us have the resources to run substations called generators throughout the dreadful night transition period. It is no longer news that mains power is now the ‘standby’ source of power in many homes and offices and no longer generators. Most Nigerians put off their generators between 12 midnight and 1am and resort to the use of rechargeable lamps and fans. Because they have worked for long spells of time longer than they were meant for, the rechargeable lamps soon lose their brightness and the fans go off exposing the ‘inmates’ to heat and mosquitoes. At that point, it is very difficult to sleep but to wish that the day break would come quicker than before. This is a routine experience of most Nigerians that clearly indicate our terribly poor quality of life. But what are governments meant for? I would never stop praying for better leaders!
    Kudos to the Chinese, a country with a monstrous population about ten times ours who never stop to think and create a better world for hapless societies like ours that cannot invent even the most basic things. We eagerly look forward to when the Chinese shall come up with rechargeable refrigerators and even air-conditioners.
    But electricity supply in my area has never been this bad. Before now, we took consolation in the fact that though we were denied during the working day hours, most nights it would come and we could sleep with it till the following morning. Now they would rather bring it for few hours, 2 or 3 of the day and that is all for the whole day. Now, we are counting days, not sure when it will come again.

    Some energy statistics running currently in the social media credited to African Outlook of power generation in certain parts of the world would clearly show that the so called giant of Africa is still light years away from true civilization. India with a population of 1,339,000,000 generates 1,368,000,000MW with power to population ratio at 1.022, USA with a population of 320,000,000 generates 4,324,000,000MW with a power to population ratio of 13.513 and the UK with a population of 67,000,000 generates 338,000,000MW with a power to population ratio of 5.045. Nigeria with an estimated population of 180,000,000 generates 5000MW accounting for power to population ratio of abysmally 0.000027. Any little wonder why the country stagnates, the economy is down and teeming population are unemployed. Power supply is the catalyst of any growth in a country. The industrial revolution in Europe was driven on power from coal. Today, they are advanced and their citizens have all the comforts. What values are politicians or indeed democracy adding to the fortunes of the country? Is it just to enjoy the spoils of office and abdicate the responsibilities? What a shame.
    Like several other matters choking on the front burner of our polity, the federal government-past and present have not done enough to exorcise the abiku called electricity supply. The reforms brought in were cosmetic and not deep. The Discos cannot distribute what they do not have; generation is still largely the problem though there is barrage of other problems. Often times, the solution to our problems stare us right in the face but lack of political will makes us to jettison them. The present structure is one glaring example. Power, Works and Housing are three key, troublesome sectors that would galvanize the growth and development of this country. Each of them has enough problems of its own and to have merged them is to multiply these problems by three and to commit them into the hands of one minister to solve. The minister cannot give adequate attention to the needs of each of them. Focus is not guaranteed either. Why are the Independent Power Projects (IPPs) not working out? To underscore the urgency of the situation, a state of emergency would have been suggested but has this ever made a difference? Fashola has too much on his hands to manage these ministries together as one. Besides, what is a lawyer doing in power sector? Do you have non-lawyers managing the Justice Ministry or non-doctors the ministry of health?

    Power sector needs a dedicated minister who is a specialist and has very good knowledge of the workings of the system. He would understand the challenges and be able to navigate a road map for their solution. Power sector needs a minister who can make it his focus of attention. Power sector once had Prof. Barth Nnaji and he was not doing badly but continuity broke up. Where are the Philip Emeagwalis of this country that we exported to the world? There are lots of competent Nigerians who can head that Ministry and do the needful but politics should be kept out of that place. If not, we cans get expatriates to do it for us with a clear mandate; there is no shame in that. Politicians should cease seeing the power ministry as their cash cow. They should let Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy for once. The multiplier effects of stable power supply would reduce criminality, youth restiveness and even terrorism because most of those who involve in these vices would be gainfully employed. As Buhari warms up to mount the saddle for second term, barring the outcome of the appeal filed by his PDP rival, Atiku Abubakar, Nigerians collectively ask him to break up the present humongous ministry and get power a separate minister who will get Nigeria out of darkness in record time.

  • 2019 Budget: FG Needs N10trn Bond for Roads, Power – Fashola

    2019 Budget: FG Needs N10trn Bond for Roads, Power – Fashola

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja
    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, says Nigeria needs at least N10 trillion bond to develop key infrastructures such as roads and power.
    Fashola gave the hint on Monday during a budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on Works, chaired by Hon.Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) at the National Assembly.
    The Minister, who was reacting to questions by members of the Committee over failing roads in Nigeria, noted that funding remains a major constraint behind road construction and maintenance.
    According to him, only a long term infrastructure bond, backed up with viable legislative framework, would take care of failing infrastructure in the country, and thus drive critical aspects of the economy.
    He also advised for caution on the application of the Road Fund Bill, recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, so as not to “raise expectations above realities.”
    “We have to challenge ourselves to access revenue to fund our roads. But since the budget is limited, we must subscribe to realities.
    “I want to say that Nigeria needs N10 trillion infrastructure bond, through legislative approval, to effectively fund our roads and power.
    “Critical infrastructures, such as roads, are national social investments meant to encourage the growth and development of other aspects of the economy,” Fashola told the lawmakers.
    Earlier in a remark, Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), had said the Road Fund Bill provided a take-off point for road funding initiative in Nigeria.
    Other lawmakers as Sunday Karimi (PDP, Kogi) and Sani Abdu (APC, Bauchi), both members of the Committee, also raised issues over the Kabba-Obajana, Bauchi-Alkaleri, and Enugu-Port Harcourt roads, saying Nigerians expected miracles from the Minister given his precedents as Lagos governor.
    They further appealed to him to ensure that the second phase of the SUKUK bond initiative is directed towards the completion of pending road projects littered across the country.