Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised issues concerning the ongoing energy catastrophe following any other shatter of the nationwide grid.
PUNCH On-line experiences that Nigerians had been on Tuesday plunged into darkness following any other shatter of the nationwide energy grid.
Since January 2024 until pace, the grid has collapsed 10 occasions. Inside of one life in October, the grid collapsed thrice with its caregiver blackouts, sparking reactions from Nigerians.
Talking at the factor by way of a commentary on Wednesday by way of X, Obi contrasted Nigeria’s struggles with energy provide to South Africa’s fresh luck in attaining seven months of uninterrupted electrical energy.
He stated, “Once more, the day before today the now ordinary information got here that the Nationwide Grid had collapsed as soon as once more. Only some days in the past, at the twenty fifth of October, South Africa that was once the second-largest financial system in Africa in the back of Nigeria till lately, with 1 / 4 of our public, celebrated seven months of uninterrupted energy provide.
“South Africa generates and distributes about 40,000 MW of electricity, while Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute just 10% of that.”
Obi emphasized that the problem impacts Nigerians throughout all areas and spiritual teams, disregarding any tips that sure teams get advantages greater than others within the power sector.
“Is there any tribe in Nigeria that enjoys uninterrupted power supply like South Africa? I am labelled a tribal bigot. When I ask if any religion enjoys special privileges in this crisis, I am called a religious bigot. But I will continue to speak the truth about our situation today,” he stated.
Stressing the desire for collective motion, Obi argued that answers don’t lie in tribal or non secular divides however in unified, visionary management.
“The fact remains that we are all suffering equally from this failure,” he stated.
Obi prompt Nigerians to travel year “primordial sentiments” and in lieu center of attention on electing leaders who can power the rustic in opposition to construction.
He underscored the desire for transformative management to travel Nigeria from a consumer-driven financial system to a fruitful one by way of channelling sources into crucial sectors like fitness, training, and infrastructure.
He stated, “The reality rest that we’re all struggling similarly from this failure. The answer lies now not in tribal or non secular affiliations however in visionary management and a shared constancy to move.
“We must set aside these primordial sentiments and elect leaders who are competent, capable, and have the vision to transform our nation from a consumer-driven economy to a productive one by investing our meagre resources in critical areas of development like health and education, lifting our people out of poverty, and ensuring increased electricity production and distribution.”