Nigeria the giant of Africa has long lost the glory attaches to its name a long time ago. From being one of the fastest-growing economies of the world to become the poverty capital of the world, it is easy to know why investors run away and why startups fail. With a population of over 180 people, less than half of the population have a connection to the grid for power supply.
The mismanagement of this sector over the years has led to the downward progression of its ability to serve. The power supply has been epileptic in most parts of the federation as people cannot boast of 24 hours power supply. Majority of the population now depends on the second means of power generation, generators and solar power to run their homes and businesses.
In 2010 the power sector reform was developed, this development led to the 2013 privatisation of the generation and distribution agencies in Nigeria. This initiative was put in place to improve the power situation of the country but the effect has not led to a stable power supply ever since then. Total reliance on the various agencies for power supply would leave you stranded and filled with regrets.
Yesterday, The National Union of Electricity Employees embarked on an indefinite strike. This means there would be no electricity until further notice. Nigeria’s have taken to social media to react to this situation. From various comments, it is obvious to see that people are indifferent about the strike. From years of not enjoying constant power supply, Nigerians have grown a thick skin to the discomfort it brings.
A certain @dacreamy_ said on Twitter that ”Most Nigerians didn’t know NEPA was on strike till PHCN started trending
Most of us thought it is just the usual no light stuffs”
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@biyitheplug said ”So PHCN or NEPA has gone on strike? For light wet no dey before?”
The failure of the system has led to a loss of faith in it. Power holding companies are now used as metaphors for disappointment and inefficiency. The adverse effect of this strike would not be friendly on our struggling economy as most people have structured their lives to fit into a pattern as dictated by the power supply.
Before the introduction of prepaid meter, which a good number of the population do not have access to, one’s bill goes up irrespective of the amount of power used in that month. This became a burden to people who travel frequently as they mostly attract bills they did not use.
The union is protesting unpaid salaries of over 50,000 workers. This again is a pointer to how the government has continued to fail its citizens over and over again without a days break.
Nigeria continues to dwell on past glory and this will not take us any further. Various African Nation has improved its power supply while we still struggle to generate enough power. This is one of the numerous reasons we keep losing investors to other African countries even of we have the population.