The Scam - Part 1 (NEPA/PHCN)

Nigeria, the most populous black nation on planet Earth. Blessed with abundant human resources, natural resources and wild life. A country that has produced some of the best scholars, scientists, business moguls and atheletes in the entire world. Indeed, a great nation. How can a country so obviously blessed, seem so apparently cursed?

Picture this.................

• You spend a better part of the journey after work between your office and your home in a bar, for the simple reason of no light at home.
• Somehow, families living in "face me - I face you" apartments seem to have more kids and you wonder why.
• More young girls, from age 15yrs upwards have now been known to sleep with anyone for just any amount. While still living under their parents roof.
• Too many kids walking on the streets in certain areas because they have too many siblings and their one room apartment is too hot to contain all of them at once when there is no electricity.
• Everybody now has at least 2 jerricans just for fuel.
• Everyone has at least 2 generators.
• You cannot sleep at night because you have too many neighbours running noisy generators at the same time.
• There are more kids in viewing centers watching soccer matches because they don't have 'light' at home to read their books.

These scenerios are endless and they do not only apply to those living in abject penury. They apply to all of us living in this country.

This constant lack of electricity has led to population explosion, joblessness, increased promiscuity and a generation of dullards, hooligans, alcoholics and criminals.

Where other countries brag about having cities with blinding lights. It goes without saying that Nigeria is a country with no light. In other countries, families only rely on power generating sets (popularly called generators) as backup power supply. Usually switched on once or twice a year, when they are being serviced. My beloved country is one in which the parastal responsible for generating power for the entire country (PHCN/NEPA), has ensured that they provide power only as a source of backup to every family in the entire country. Each household is solely responsible for generating its own power. Yet, pay ridiculous monthly bills to PHCN.

A country with over 180million inhabitants kept in perpetual darkness. Month after Month. Held to ransom by the ineptitude of the those appointed to head PHCN, incompetence of PHCN/NEPA employees and insatiable greed of those in power in the Nigeria government.

Truthfully,

• When we were growing up they said we were the leaders of tomorrow. Now in our 20s, 30s and 40s, when will that tomorrow come?
• Why should modern day kids aim for a future as doctors, lawyers, engineers etc, when they can aim to be state governors, senators, ministers, presidents or even local government chairmen, councilors thieves and fraudsters????
• Why should we have power when we have oil???
• How else would the government exploit it's citizenry from the need to consume more refined fuel???
• Major importers of generators donate huge generators alongside monthly supply of diesel to 'those that matter'. Is it not to ensure that they stay in business and sell more??
• Isn't it ironic that even PHCN/NEPA offices run on generators??
• Why should Foreign investors be encouraged to start up companies or invest in already existing companies? Is it so they can share their investments with the already corrupt head(s) of such companies and the government.
• Why should those entrusted with the duties of investigating the gross inefficiency of the power sector be involved in mismanagement of billions of naira???
• Why don't we have light when we have abundant skilled and unskilled labour.
• Why don't we have light when we have water, the sun, coal and wind???
• Why.....................

I am truly compelled to take down all the PHCN wires in my house and solely depend on my generators, or acquire the more expensive inverters or solar energy.

Nigeria, with her wide array of underexploited mineral resources which include columbite, tantalite, bitumen, uranium, natural gas, coal, bauxite, gold, tin, iron ore, limestone, niobium, lead and zinc. Despite huge deposits of these natural resources, the mining industry in Nigeria is still almost non-existent. With the country depending majorly on a fast depleting oil reserve.

I love Nigeria this I know.

"I pledge to Nigeria my country". That much I know too.... If tomorrow ever comes, then I might decide to abide by the rest of the National pledge.

God bless you, God bless me and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Written by Tony Obijeih @tonyobj