Power sector problems man-made, says Fashola

Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola said yesterday that the challenges of the power sector were man-made and not technical.

Fashola stated this as a distinguished lecturer at the University of Lagos.

The theme of the lecture, organised by the Department of Economics, was: “The power sector reform in Nigeria: Challenges and the way forward”.

Fashola said there was no mystery in achieving stable and reliable electricity supply but that all stakeholders must conform to guidelines of the sector’s roadmap.

He said the roadmap was aimed at getting incremental, stable and uninterrupted power because  achieving set targets required step-by-step approach.

He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, assuring that the party would deliver on its promises.

The minister listed the attacks on gas pipelines; kidnapping of expatriates working on power sustainability, procedures and inefficiencies in power transmission and distribution as parts of the the challenges facing the sector.

He also cited sabotage in governance; non-payment of tariff, poor investment, among others as other challenges frustrating the power sector.

The minister noted that the issue of stable power was characterised by many years of broken promises but added that the sector was making progress.

He said the country was not yet feeling the impact of the work done because of the processes involved in transmission and distribution.

Fashola said: “The issue of containers left in the port for about 10 years; explosion of pipelines; badly installed equipment; cancelled tariff, electricity theft among others are all the handiwork of men.

“Now, if men and women created these problems, in my view only men and women can solve them.

“You and I have a role to play, I have stood up to play my role, have you?”

The minister highlighted issues related to metering and tariff and asked Nigerians to blow whistle when they noticed sharp practices among the operators.

The varsity’s Pro-Chancellor and  Governing Council Chairman Wale Babalakin said  the country needed a well thought-out  solution based on creativity.

Dr. Babalakin said: “In thinking of the power generating solution of this country, we also we must be creative. We have what it takes but we indeed need to work on our attitude.

“And that is why I am calling on all to join hand in reforming our education sector which is key to any developmental stride.

.“Education as the engine room for the revolution of Nigeria must be fostered.”

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello, said Fashola was well informed about  intrigues in the sector and  would get the solution with the support of all Nigerians. Babalakin added: “The most enduring solution to Nigeria’s problems is applied intelligence and this can only be attained through first class education. In thinking of this solution, we must be creative. We have a fair idea of the resources of the government. It is only through very serious technical application to very good resources that we can solve our problems.

“There is need for cerebral application of our resources. We have everything; we just need a change of attitude. The most gifted people are not those with aptitude, but those with attitude. Aptitude is great with natural resources but attitude can be developed. I urge the intelligentsia, let us collectively develop the solution.

“It is sad that we are far behind in education and we are indifferent. How do we resolve this? Let us all collectively find a solution. Education, as the engine room for the resolution of Nigeria’s problems, must be fostered.”

The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences of the university, Prof. Iyiola Oni, noted that the multiplier effects of power outages in the country had led to high cost of production.

Oni also stated that inflation, unemployment and poverty were ripple effects of the power sector challenge.

“In effect, this means that most of these  negative vices are more likely to become things of the past if sufficient and reliable power supply can be guaranteed,” he said

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