It is common knowledge that the Federal Government is notorious for making false promises. This action, though habitual in all sectors, is highly frequent in the electricity sector.
Time and time again, the Federal Government (FG) have made Nigerians lose hope in expectations through their actions. For example, FG carried out the privatisation exercise to improve electricity service delivery, reduced tariff, and fewer power outages. However, eight years down the line, Nigerians are yet to boast of a significant improvement.
A few days ago, the President disclosed the country’s ambitious energy plan at the 67th United Nations General Assembly in New York. He assured that the government is commencing a flagship project to electrify five million households and twenty million people using decentralised solar energy solutions (learn more).
A rather big promise, one may say. But what assurance is there that the ‘ambitious energy plan’ would play out as promised? Analysing previous promises, can Nigerians be assured of this one, or is it just another empty promise?
If you quite remember, earlier this year, the then minister of power promised improved electricity following rumours of a tariff increase. Sadly, however, what followed that promise was several blackouts as a majority of the power plants in the country went idle.
In addition to that, the World Bank listed Nigeria as number one in the list of countries with the highest number of persons without access to electricity in the world.
Failed promises have gradually become a norm to the ears of Nigerians that nothing seems to excite them again when it comes to the affairs of the electricity sector.