The story never changes in the Nigerian power sector. On and on again, we receive information on lack of funding as the principal problem facing the sector. It is depressing that a nation that gives electric power to other African countries cannot boast of a full day’s supply of electricity.
About a week ago, the World Bank donated $500 million to support electricity distribution in Nigeria, this same sector has received other funding, however, the electricity supply has not improved.
Now, the federal government through the special adviser to the President explained in an interview that the electricity sector requires $10 billion to bridge the power distribution gap in the country. This begs the question as to whether the electricity sector is a desert that no matter the amount of funding they receive; remains dry.
What is being done with all the funds accumulated so far that the sector still requires this huge sum of money before customers begin to enjoy electricity? I’m pretty certain that the problem of poor electricity supply is not purely the lack of funds. It’s time, to be frank, and ask questions on how the disbursed funds have been managed. Is there a case of a snake swallowing the money like we received a couple of years back from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board?
Putting money aside, there are resources in the country that have been left abandoned like the Ikere Gorge dam and Oyan River dam in Oyo and Ogun states respectively. These dams have been fully constructed, with equipment parts left in boxes to rot for years now. In this situation, do we call it the lack of funds that has rendered the community members of the state in darkness for over 20 years?
Let’s call a spade a spade and stop disguising corruption and poor management practices as lack of funding.