I will provide stable electricity in my first 4 years if elected president in 2019, says Ezekwesili

The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has promised to provide uninterrupted supply of electricity in the country in the first four years if elected President next year.

In a statement on Sunday, Ezekwesili said stable electricity would aid business growth in Nigeria.

She said, “From 1999 till date, all the projections made by successive governments to grow the supply of electricity to Nigerians, to either 6,000 MW, 10,000 MW or 20,000 MW, have not been realised. The citizens’ desire and willingness to pay an appropriate price of electricity consumed is seen in generators of all shapes and sizes and how much they pay to operate and service these machines.

“The low power availability from the national grid has meant that corporate entities have to divert a large amount of funds from their core productive areas of focus to this critical area of reliable power supply. The price of this is paid in not being competitive and great loss of production capacities, which further impoverishes the populace.

“Our vision is to provide sustainable, affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply to all Nigerian towns and villages, starting with Nigerian cities. Our vision is to ensure that the Nigerian electricity supply industry becomes fully functional, vibrant and employs hundreds of thousands of young Nigerians, in both the on - grid and off - grid segments.”

The former Minister of Education said the challenges causing underperformance in the power sector would be addressed when she emerged as President.

She said, “This electricity will be aimed at facilitating and growing business, commercial and industrial activities, in a drive to create jobs and increase productivity. Nigeria’s per capita electricity consumption is among the lowest in the world and far lower than many other African countries.”