Could a new system that builds upon an already existing and faulty system create any meaningful change? More often than not, the answer is no. So likewise, the move made by the federal government in creating a new team to monitor the affairs of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) could be described as pouring old wine into a new bottle.
For decades, Nigerian electricity customers have been promised, assured and reassured by successive governments that there would be a better electricity supply. Over time, however, these stories of reassurances have grown sour in the ears of Nigerians, especially those who require constant electricity supply for their business operations.
The challenges of electricity distribution are common knowledge, and one could say that the major cause of these issues is the corrupt practices that go on without any oversight. Over time, several interventions have been made in the power sector to improve the system but, there remains a huge electricity supply deficit. So, yet again, another intervention has sprung up to monitor and direct the affairs in the industry.
However, this new working group consists of high ranking members of some institutions in the power sector. Now, the question is, will this new “working group” effect a positive change in the affairs of the industry or would it be a case of pouring old wine, in this instance, people from the system, into a new bottle, i.e. having a new name?