Nigeria losses N65billion to electricity wastage yearly

Moshood Karim

Auchi- Dr. Peter Enyong, a Chief lecturer at the Auchi Polytechnic has revealed that the nation losses N65billion to electricity wastage annually. He made this revelation while delivering the sixth inaugural lecture of the polytechnic titled: “Virtual Darkness in a Nation Where Energy Resources Abound: The Lamentation of a Concerned In-dweller”

According to him there are many identified factors causing electricity wastage in the country. These include: overheated apparatus through under-voltage operation, protracted overloading of distribution transformers, unmaintained fluorescent lamps and fittings, incorrect wiring of buildings, odd hours of security lighting as well as improper fusing of distribution feeder pillars. The colossal financial loss, he said, is enough to sponsor 180 Nigerians on any PhD programme abroad at the rate of N30 million per person.

To curtail the problem, therefore, Nigeria needs to re-position herself to realize the noble national dreams.

The lecturer described the state of electricity supply in Nigeria has deplorable, nauseating, epileptic and truly lamentable. The entire scenario according to him is unfortunate.

He, however, recommended that for the nation to ensure adequate, safe and affordable electricity for all consumers, government should separate electricity issues from partisan politics, put in place effective management team in each station of the power supply industry and run the stations with a serious check and balance machinery in place as well as create enabling environment for healthy competition in the power industry in the bid to promote rapid development in terms of facility expansion, quality assurance and customer satisfaction.

The inaugural lecture had in attendance several eminent personalities from all walks of life including; traditional rulers, academia and engineering students from several other polytechnic.

The Principal Officers, members and other staff of the polytechnic also attended.