Summary: N E P A

Topic Content:

• Topic: N E P A
• Text: New Oxford Secondary English Course for SSS2 pages 52 – 53.

Since its inception, the performance of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) which has changed name at various times – National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and then Power Holding Company of Nigeria – has met with adverse and unfavourable criticisms from every section of the societyThe term society is derived from the Latin word 'socius' meaning friendship or companionship. Society is a community, nation or group of people who share the same traditions, institutions, rules and... More and from every sector of the economy. When it was NEPA, it was negatively referred to as ‘Never Expect Power Always’. But does the Electricity body deserve its bad name? Are there no extenuating circumstances?

          It is true that all sections of the society have suffered untold hardships as a result of the erratic supply or no supply at all of electricity. Most people whose means of livelihood solely depends on electricity have had harrowing experiences. Industries and factories have been producing far below their capacities. The performance of the Electricity body therefore has adversely affected everybody in Nigeria in varying degrees. Many villages that are supposed to have been electrified are left without electricity.

          But has anybody bothered to ask why there are these frequent power cuts or power outages? Certainly, there are some deep-rooted problems.

          With the oil boom of the seventies, many new industries were established almost simultaneously in different parts of the country. Thousands of residential and commercial houses were built. This increased considerably the demand for electricity. All this happened quickly and the Electricity body could not cope with the ever-increasing demand. The plain reason was that the Electricity body had not anticipated and so had not prepared for these developments.

          Another problem which the Electricity body encounters but which many Nigerians do not appreciate is the vandalization of installations and equipment. In the last decade, or so, many enemies of this country have resorted to vandalizing the Electricity body’s installation and equipment for their own selfish gains. This has of course adversely affected the operations of the Electricity body. The cost of replacing these items is colossal and more often than not they are not readily available in the country. They have to be imported.

          In addition, the Electricity body’s problems are compounded by importers of power-generating sets. Compounded? Yes. These importers do not wish the body well. The reason is that they realise a lot of profits from the sale of the generators. Many of them are not happy when there is constant power supply as they will not be patronised. As a result, these dealers in generating sets do all within their power to sabotage the efforts of the Electricity body in its bid to ensure regular power supply.

          Members of the public are also not helping matters. Those who rain curses and abuses on the Electricity body when there is power outage fail to fulfil their financial obligations to the Electricity body by settling their bills promptly. What one discovers is that the Electricity body is owed colossal sums of money by government agencies and parastatalsParastatal is used to describe a company or organization which is owned by a country's government and often has some political power More, private establishments and members of the public. How then does the Electricity body carry out its duties in this situation?

          What then can be done to bail the Electricity body out of the problem,?

          Each of us has a role to play to help the Electricity body to serve us efficiently.

          The government must make it a deliberate policy to invest massively in the Electricity body. Similarly, private firms and establishments – the organised (and the unorganised) private sector must also invest substantially in the Electricity body. In other words, much money must be pumped into the electricity so that the obsoleteno longer produced or used; out of date. More and ageing equipment can be replaced with new ones.

          Those who are owing the body – government and private establishments and members of the public should settle their debts as a matter of urgency.

          Also, everybody should be involved in ensuring a twenty-four-hour surveillance on all electrical installations and equipment. If this is done the vandalisation of electrical equipment will be prevented.