The discussion point of the second part of this serial harped on when we could develop a ‘national creed’ to deal a blow on this enemy called national greed, whose effects have continued to destroy our national grid.
We need to get back to this discussion point because some of the power elite who need to develop a national creed for the most populous black nation on earth just returned from three powerful nations, France, Brazil and South Africa where the governments cannot ignore the expediency of reducing energy cost to boost business and enhance welfare of the people. I hope they are deepening their understanding about why we need a national creed to destroy national greed that has also diminished the stature of Africa’s most populous country.
As I ponder the perpetual darkness that has become the norm in our beloved country, I am again reminded of the age-old adage: “greed is the root of all evil.” It seems that our collective greed has become the primary obstacle to enjoying a reliable and efficient national electricity grid. The other day, I was at Ilupeju SPAR (supermarket) for a haircut at my usual salon. I was shocked to discover that Black&White unisex salon that had a thriving shop of many young professional hairdressers, barbers, manicurists, pedicurists, facial beauticians, etc had disappeared from the premises of the biggest mall in Ilupeju. I called the Black & White salon manager who apologised profusely to me. He said, “Uncle, sorry, we had to close that shop because we couldn’t cope with the electricity bills there. Everything we were making couldn’t pay the electricity bills. Sadly, we haven’t got a new place. All of our professionals are jobless now…”
For decades, Nigeria has struggled to provide stable electricity to its citizens and entrepreneurs. Despite the abundance of natural resources, including oil, gas, and hydroelectric power, our national grid remains in shambles. The consequences are dire: businesses suffer, industries stagnate, and the overall quality of life deteriorates.
So, what’s the root of this problem? Is it corruption, incompetence, or a lack of investment? While these factors certainly play a role, I firmly believe as I have been saying that our ‘national greed’ is the primary culprit.
Greed, in this context, refers to the insatiable desire for power, wealth, and influence that seems to drive our national agenda. It’s the same greed that leads politicians to embezzle funds meant for infrastructure development. It’s the same greed that prompts business leaders to prioritise profits over people. And it’s the same greed that encourages individuals to sabotage the system for personal gain.
Until we address this ‘national greed’, our electricity grid will continue to suffer. The grid is not just a physical infrastructure; it’s a symbol of our collective well-being. When it fails, we all suffer.
So, when will our national greed collapse, allowing our electricity grid to work efficiently? The answer lies in our collective willingness to prioritise the greater good over personal interests.
A call to action
To achieve this, we need a fundamental shift in our national mindset. We must recognise that our individual successes are inextricably linked to the success of our nation. We must prioritise investments in critical infrastructure, including the electricity grid that keeps collapsing amidst ‘Band A’ fallacy.
Furthermore, we need to hold our leaders accountable for their actions. We must demand transparency and accountability in the management of our national resources that have been wasted on the power sector’s dubious expansion. We must also support policies and initiatives that promote the greater good, even if they require short-term sacrifices.
The collapse of ‘national greed’ requires a new era of cooperation and collective responsibility. We must work together to build a Nigeria where the electricity grid is a symbol of our national pride, not a source of shame. As we strive towards this goal, we must remember that the collapse of national greed is not a destination; it’s a journey. It requires patience, perseverance, and a commitment to the greater good by our leaders who keep pursuing frivolous projects such as overhead bridges and water boreholes that can’t enhance humanity and human development indices.
As I reflect on this topic again this week, I’m reminded of the wise words of Nelson Mandela: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Nigeria has fallen many times, but it’s time for us to rise again. Let us rise above our national greed and work towards a future where our electricity grid is a symbol of our national pride. Let us rise above our individual interests and prioritise the greater good. Here are some good examples of what the governors of the 36 states and Abuja can do now that there is power sector freedom in federalism.
Deliverables and lessons from Redemption City and Covenant University
The examples of Redemption City of RCCG Mission and Covenant University/Canaan Land, Ota, both in Ogun State, Nigeria, demonstrate the feasibility of independent electricity power generation and distribution. These institutions have successfully implemented self-sufficient power systems, providing 24/7 electricity to their communities.
The deliverables
*Decentralised Power Generation: Both institutions have invested in decentralised power generation, using a combination of diesel generators, gas turbines, and renewable energy sources. This approach allows them to generate power independently, reducing reliance on the national grid.
*Private Sector Participation: The success of these institutions’ power systems is largely due to private sector investment and management. This highlights the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in developing and operating power infrastructure.
*Community-Based Power Distribution: Redemption City and Covenant University have established their own power distribution networks, serving their respective communities. This approach ensures reliable and efficient power supply, with minimal transmission losses.
*Regulatory Framework: The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has played a crucial role in enabling these institutions to generate and distribute power independently. The regulatory framework has provided a level of certainty and stability, encouraging private sector investment in the power sector.
Implications for State Governors:
The examples of Redemption City and Covenant University demonstrate that state-based power generation is feasible and can be effective. State governors can explore similar initiatives to address power shortages in their respective states.
*Public-Private Partnerships: State governors can leverage PPPs to develop and operate power infrastructure, reducing the financial burden on state governments. Oyo state has begun this in the capital city, Ibadan.
*Decentralized Power Distribution: State governors can consider decentralised power distribution models, where power is generated and distributed at the local level, reducing transmission losses and improving efficiency.
*Regulatory Support: State governors can work with NERC and other regulatory bodies to create an enabling environment for private sector investment in the power sector.
Post-Deregulation Opportunities
*State-Based Power Markets: With the deregulation of the power sector, state governors can explore the creation of state-based power markets, where power is generated, transmitted, and distributed within the state.
*Independent Power Producers: State governors can encourage independent power producers (IPPs) to invest in power generation projects within their states, providing a reliable source of power.
*Mini-Grids and Micro-Grids: State governors can support the development of mini-grids and micro-grids, which can provide power to rural and underserved communities.
In the main, the examples of Redemption City and Covenant University/Canaan Land demonstrate the potential for independent electricity power generation and distribution in Nigeria. State governors can learn from these examples and explore similar initiatives to address power shortages in their respective states. The post-deregulation landscape provides opportunities for state-based power markets, IPPs, and mini-grids/micro-grids, which can help to improve the overall efficiency and reliability of the power sector in Nigeria. Let’s ask what the governors are waiting for?
As I noted in the first part of this serial on March 20, 2022, let’s not get it twisted, unless there is a collapse, yes collapse of this public enemy number one, called national greed, we will not be able to sing any redemption songs in the energy sector comprising electricity and oil and gas resources. It is bad enough for our country that now after 25 years of unbroken democratisation and politicking (29 May, 1999-29 May 2024) couldn’t lead to credible revival of our oil refineries. What is worse, our power (electricity) sector too hasn’t raised what Ngugi wa Thiong’o calls, “hope of a better tomorrow as “the only comfort you can give to a weeping child”. So, instead of praying for restructuring and revival of our accident-prone national grid, we should pray fervently for the collapse of national greed at all levels of leadership and followership here.
Greed is an uncontrolled longing for increase in the acquisition or use of material gain; or social value, such as status, or power. Greed has been identified as undesirable throughout known human history because it creates behaviour-conflict between personal and social goals… An example of greed is when you are obsessed with getting more and more money. A selfish or excessive desire for more than is needed or deserved, especially of money, wealth, food, or other possessions. It sometimes drives inordinate ambition and so that is where we find people’s greed for power.
This is the cause of near absence of common good in Nigeria. Most people who seek power in Nigeria are driven by this uncontrolled longing for increase in the acquisition or use of material gain, or social value or power, not for the purpose of service delivery or public good. The powers, I mean the business elite that acquired the electricity power stations from former President Goodluck Jonathan were largely driven by this same common disease called national greed, because they were just obsessed with getting more and more money than is needed or deserved. They artfully bamboozled the nation for what they thought were lucrative power stations. They didn’t intend to invest more to get our national grid working. They were supported and shielded by the very federally greedy power elite in Jonathan’s government.
The national greed in all of them is the reason our electricity national grid will continue to collapse. So, until the national greed in all of the business and power elite in Nigeria is made to collapse through a national creed and revolutionary movement to make the world’s most populous black nation an entrepreneurial nation, we will continue to read from the book of lamentation called constant collapse of national grid. Oh yes, it is the national greed of our leaders and their business elite collaborators that should be made to collapse, ‘lest we should be the last’ in the new world order as the iconic Kwesi Brew warns.