Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In the wake of Nigeria’s latest national grid collapse, Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, has pointed to leadership failures and an ongoing economic crisis as the root causes of the persistent power outages plaguing the nation.
Obi emphasized that the ongoing blackout was a clear indication of the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the failure to prioritize essential reforms.
The former Anambra Stats governor on his official X handle, argued that a reliable power supply was crucial for economic growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that drive job creation and contribute significantly to the GDP.
He regretted that Nigeria lags far behind other African nations in terms of power generation, noting that while South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria each generate over 40,000 megawatts of electricity, Nigeria produces less than 10,000 megawatts, exposing a significant governance deficit.
“For the umpteenth time, the national grid has collapsed, plunging a huge part of the nation into darkness and exposing the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
“This recurring disaster is a national shame and a glaring testament to the failure of leadership and policy implementation at the highest levels. How long must Nigerians endure a system that fails to provide one of the critical necessities for a productive society?
“This latest power grid collapse is emblematic of a leadership and government that have consistently failed to prioritize the welfare and economic well-being of the people. We all know the immense importance of power supply to the transformation of our economy. Its support to SMEs, which are the engine of job creation and a major contributor to our GDP, is immeasurable.
“Today, we are the fourth largest economy in Africa, having fallen from the number one position due to leadership failure over the years, including the persistent power crisis, which is critical when compared to smaller economies.
“South Africa, which is now the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of about $400 billion and 30% of our population, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts of electricity.
“Secondly, Egypt, the second largest economy with a GDP of about $350 billion and half of our population, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts. Algeria, the third largest economy, with about 300B GDP and 20% of our population, generates and distributes over 50,000 megawatts of electricity.
“Nigeria, with less GDP but with more population than the three countries combined, generates and distributes less than 10,000 megawatts, and even that is riddled with frequent collapses and crises of failure.
“This disparity in power generation is a reflection of the deep-rooted governance deficit that continue to hold back our growth and potential.
“It is time for urgent, comprehensive reform. Nigerians deserve a government that prioritizes measurable indices of development. A new Nigeria is possible.”
