Shehu Sani is a renowned Nigerian senator, author, playwright, and human rights activist; he was also the president of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria and was Chairman of Hand-in-Hand Africa; he was also a leading figure in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria. Here he speaks on an attempt by some individuals to politicize the issue of frequent collapse of National Grid and called for caution.
By Prince Ebri Ukagu, Senior Reporter, Abuja
If there is any one Nigerian who is pained over the attempt to politicize the issue of the frequent Grid collapse of the National Grid, it is Senator Shehu Sani who has made no secret of his feelings. Addressing select members of the press, in his Abuja office on Saturday, October 26, 2024, Senator Shehu Sani described those calling for the head of the TCN management as poorly informed. He said that in reality, since the arrival of the minister of power and the TCN Managing Director, there has been a visible improvement in the steady supply of electricity. “When for example, has Nigerians gone three days without electricity as was the case in those better forgotten days?”, he asked.
Senator Sani then went into memory lanes saying that when the history of power supply generation and distribution is drawn it would be clear to everyone that there is massive improvement under this President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. “Do not forget that in the days of Obasanjo, Nigeria spent close to tens of billions of dollars, almost $20 billion for this same purpose, all to no avail”, he revealed. Senator Sani insisted that if that money went into the power sector, Nigeria would be different today. He then declared “If we are serious, why are we not asking how much is being budgeted and spent on electricity today; why are we not asking why the private sector is not heavily involved”, he wondered.
According to him, Nigeria ought to have more than one national grid in operation; and in addition to that nothing stops the private sector, like it is in foreign lands, investing and owning their grid where people can tap in. The convener of the Civil Rights Group of Nigeria stressed that since the upsurge of insurgency and banditry ravaging the northern region, there is very little to expect from TCN.” We have seen what insurgency and banditry are doing in the North East and North West, and we can see the havoc they are creating on government properties”, he pointed out. The senator who also was chairman of the Hand in Hand Africa Project cautioned politicians to stop politicalizing Grid Collapse issues by saying “Oh the north is denied electricity”. “People should focus on reality and not listen to politicians who are trying to weaponize the electricity sector for their selfish ends”, he told the press, adding that Nigerians should take a look at the Teaching Hospitals nationwide and see which one is without electricity.
The ebullient senator then queried why the focus is on TCN alone without looking at what GENCOS and DISCOS are doing. “When it comes to power generation, people should look further”, he warned. Nevertheless, he praised the TCN management for the deft manner they are handling this current situation. He applauded them for securing the support of the military to comb the dense forest to locate the trouble spot and subsequently repair the damaged lines. He also praised the Nigerian Air Force for assisting, stressing that the Grid collapse was not deliberate. “Have you seen where the chief executive of any organization would seek to grind his operations for whatever reason?”. he queried.
Explaining further, Senator Sani called on Nigerians especially the civil society organizations to help proffer solutions to grid collapse rather than exploit the situation for selfish ends. “I hear some people are calling for the head of the TCN management for what reason? he questioned. “Abdul Aziz Sule is a fine gentleman and I have known him as an accomplished professional; he needs all the support he can get at this trying moment”, he stated. Nevertheless, the TCN management has gone ahead to fix the damaged portion of the Shiroro-Kaduna Lines 1 & 2 portion having worked tirelessly to trace the fault. The management reiterates its unalloyed commitment to securing a smooth flow of electricity supply to Nigerians despite attempts to sabotage its efforts.
