Efio-Ita Nyok|31 March 2016|5:53am
Sequel to the announcement of a 100MW power supply anticipated by the Governor Ben Ayade administration, a social commentator in the person of Simon Utsu, has taken to his social media account to demonstrate the 'unrealisability' of the proposal. Utsu particularly highlights the fact that the laws managing the production and distribution of power explicitly prevents the distribution of such degree of power supply by a privately owned power firm.
*Governance of Vague Promises
By Simon Utsu
News headline~ Governor Ayade of Cross River signs MOU with Dubai company to establish a solar farm that will produce 100 Megawatts of electricity for Cross River state.
Am I supposed to be excited? Actually, the only emotion that is being stirred up inside me at the moment is one of skepticism. I'm not a pessimist but going forward, I've decided to approach any big project proposal Ayade throws at us with cautious optimism.
To start with, how can a state independent power project generate close to 100 Megawatts of electricity when we know PHCN(comprising of the Gencos, Discos and Transcos) together with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC) have very strict laws regarding state independent power projects? Even Lagos state as big as it is was only allowed to inject a total maximum of 59 Megawatts into the National grid(for local consumption) from all her Independent Power stations during the last administration. How much power is the Federal Integrated Power Project(IPP) GENCO located in Odukpani, Cross River even supplying to the national grid?
Unless Ayade is telling us he'll also build new, independent transmission and distribution infrastructure because the NERC and PHCN would most likely not allow him transmit locally generated 100MWs over Federal facilities.
Governor Ayade should stop throwing vague and bogus governance promises at the people like a University politician, he should learn to be more detailed in breaking down his digital projects to Nigerians. What happens after the rounds of applause? You go back and think of another bogus project to throw at our sensibilities?
I admonish the people to be more critical of the projects and promises of politicians. People should start asking salient questions before they go ahead to celebrate and(or) market such projects.
I'm suggesting the formation of a very organised National Youth Party which would go ahead to form a parallel shadow government(with shadow cabinet members like in the UK) in order to scrutinise and check the excesses of those in power in a more coordinated fashion.
Simon Utsu
Is a Social Commentator
