Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted May 23, 2024
The STEM research consultant and Public Sector Analyst, in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Chike Obed Emeribe (Ph.D) suggests that to achieve steady power supply in the country, there should be mixed energy sources such as solar, biomass, coal, among others.
He was also of the opinion that the regulatory agencies should put in place the right policies to ensure international best practices within the sector; Nigeria’s electric power transmission infrastructure should be upgraded to be able to accommodate the generated bulk power from the Gencos and; power distribution infrastructure should also be overhauled across the country, as well as put formidable maintenance team in place to ensure quick response when there is any system fault.
This researcher in the area of electricity sector responded to a questionare put before him on the problems in the electricity sector in Nigeria over the weekend.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has recently staged a demonstration against hike in the electricity tariff, among other problems in the sector, when his opinion was sort, he justified the move, saying such should be the last resort for Labour unions over the recent increase in electricity tariff, even as he added that the NLC should come with alternative solutions to the issue of making Nigeria’s power billing sector competitive.
For efficient services and results, when he was asked to choose between decentralizing and centralizing the sector, he didn’t hesitate to say that decentralizing the electric power sector would no doubt be in the overall interest of the end users in Nigeria.
On the issue of leaving the sector at the hands of individuals (privatization) or to the government for effective management, be said: “My thought is that the power sector should be private – sector driven, but properly regulated by government. Under this arrangement, mechanisms must be put in place to ensure checks and balances between the regulators and the private sector players.
When asked if ministers who will be overseeing the affairs of the sector should be appointed from professionals, like electrical engineers, as is obtainable in the ministries of justice and health, he said there won’t be any difference, due to corruption, but was quick to add that: “No matter who the minister of power is, if the right policies and the right team are not put in place and corruption, uncontrolled, we can’t get the desired outcome.”
On his opinion if the government is doing enough in the sector, he quickly said that there is more room for improvement on the side of government, even as he advised the government to learn from countries, whose situations are similar to that of Nigeria, such as Vietnam, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, South Africa and so on. He therefore enjoined the government to do more in the areas of policy frameworks, infrastructure development, tackling corruption within the power sector, and learn from other countries’ experience, including Ghana.