POWER SUPPLY: FIRM CREATES DATABASE TO APPRAISE NIGERIAN LEADERS

By Bose Adelaja
Light-Up Nigeria project has created a website to appraise the level of good governance executed by Nigeria leaders in the area of electricity development.

According to the National Coordinator of the project, Mr. Frank  Ukpabi, out of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria, about 10 have submitted their various power projects which are currently under review on the website, adding that others  will join the race soon.

He said, 'Beginning from November 2012, Nigerians will have access to a data base where they can view and appraise some past and present leaders in the area of electricity performance.

'The project is designed to recognise, appreciate and encourage the three tiers of government in their efforts towards steady power supply and electrification. The days of endless waiting for public office holders for evaluation are over, especially in a critical sector like power as we want Nigerians to  evaluate them while in office,' he said.

A major power grid
Apart from the annual award, the coordinator said the project includes a magazine comprising the power projects on the website to guide Nigerians in nominations for the award categories.

He called on corporate organisations in Nigeria to imbibe the culture of electricity development and improve on their corporate social responsibilities, especially in the area of electrification.

Ukpabi said the award categories include Local Government award on lightings, State Governors' electricity power awards as well as individuals/Housing estate awards on lightings among others. He added that there will be awards for best performing and worst performing governors.

According to him, studies have shown that quite a number of Nigerians depend solely on power as their source of livelihood.

'This was the view in the Nigerian manufacturing sector some years back when the problem of power supply became worrisome such that some Nigerian manufacturers shifted their base to Ghana and other parts of the world to stabilise their businesses which were almost crippled by inadequate power supply,' he said.

A cross section of Nigerians, especially salon operators, frozen food dealers, cyber cafe operators; hospitals and hotels managers, told Vanguard about the losses they have incurred due to inadequate power supply.

Chief executive officer of Blessing business centre Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Mr. Okunola Alabi, said that tangible part of his income goes to diesel and fuel to power the alternative power supply. 'We have resorted to alternative power supply to retain our customers although this does not come on a platter of Gold,'' he said.