Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised issues in regards to the ongoing energy disaster following one other collapse of the nationwide grid.
PUNCH On-line stories that Nigerians had been on Tuesday plunged into darkness following one other collapse of the nationwide energy grid.
Since January 2024 until date, the grid has collapsed 10 instances. Inside one week in October, the grid collapsed thrice with its attendant blackouts, sparking reactions from Nigerians.
Talking on the problem by way of an announcement on Wednesday by way of X, Obi contrasted Nigeria’s struggles with energy provide to South Africa’s current success in reaching seven months of uninterrupted electrical energy.
He mentioned, “Once more, yesterday the now common information got here that the Nationwide Grid had collapsed as soon as once more. Only a few days in the past, on the twenty fifth of October, South Africa that was the second-largest financial system in Africa behind Nigeria till just lately, with 1 / 4 of our inhabitants, celebrated seven months of uninterrupted energy provide.
“South Africa generates and distributes about 40,000 MW of electrical energy, whereas Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute simply 10% of that.”
Obi emphasised that the problem impacts Nigerians throughout all areas and spiritual teams, dismissing any options that sure teams profit greater than others within the vitality sector.
“Is there any tribe in Nigeria that enjoys uninterrupted energy provide like South Africa? I’m labelled a tribal bigot. Once I ask if any faith enjoys particular privileges on this disaster, I’m known as a non secular bigot. However I’ll proceed to talk the reality about our scenario right now,” he mentioned.
Stressing the necessity for collective motion, Obi argued that options don’t lie in tribal or spiritual divides however in unified, visionary management.
“The very fact stays that we’re all struggling equally from this failure,” he mentioned.
Obi urged Nigerians to maneuver previous “primordial sentiments” and as a substitute concentrate on electing leaders who can drive the nation in direction of growth.
He underscored the necessity for transformative management to maneuver Nigeria from a consumer-driven financial system to a productive one by channelling sources into important sectors like well being, schooling, and infrastructure.
He mentioned, “The very fact stays that we’re all struggling equally from this failure. The answer lies not in tribal or spiritual affiliations however in visionary management and a shared dedication to progress.
“We should put aside these primordial sentiments and elect leaders who’re competent, succesful, and have the imaginative and prescient to rework our nation from a consumer-driven financial system to a productive one by investing our meagre sources in vital areas of growth like well being and schooling, lifting our individuals out of poverty, and guaranteeing elevated electrical energy manufacturing and distribution.”