Mr Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, expressed his deep disappointment that Nigeria is unable to provide electricity to even one of its major cities, while Tanzania has successfully powered all of theirs.
Peter Obi pointed out that a World Bank report revealed that 70 per cent of 40 million Tanzanians living in rural areas now have access to electricity, highlighting the stark contrast with Nigeria’s situation.
This statement comes at a time when Tanzania has shut down five hydroelectric stations due to an excess of electricity in their national grid. This decision was made after they were able to power their major cities and extend electricity access to rural communities.
In a post on his X handle on Friday, Peter Obi emphasized the urgent need for the government to revitalize and improve the energy sector in Nigeria for the benefit of the nation.
Peter Obi said: “Yesterday, I read a report in the Media on how Tanzania, our East African fellow nation, recently shut down five hydroelectric stations to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
“Their decision to shut down these power stations stemmed from the fact that their electricity production was already enough to power their major cities and give electricity access to the rural dwellers.
“In pain, I wondered how our nation, the giant of Africa, could not be able to power even one of the major cities, for example, the capital Abuja, while Tanzania has succeeded in powering all their major cities.
“A World Bank report showed how strong political will and commitment have been responsible for rapid electricity access in Tanzania which has seen electricity access move from 7% in 2011 to almost 40% (37.7%) in 2020, during which about 75% (73.2%) of urban dwellers gained access to electricity and about 25% (24.5%) of rural areas gained access to electricity.
“A similar report in June 2023 showed that about 70 per cent of 40 million Tanzanians living in rural areas have received access to electricity, signifying a monumental growth in the sector, while regrettably Nigeria’s situation remains the opposite.
“In Nigeria, 60% of our over 200 million people live without access to electricity, according to a 2022 Energy Progress Report.
“Considering the economic loss resulting from the lack of access to electricity in our nation, which remains immeasurable and with the recent electricity tariff increase, one would expect that we would be able, at least, to power one major city in each geo-political zone soon, and increase our overall access both in the urban and rural areas.
“The government must, therefore, sanitize and rescue the sector for the good of the nation.
“If Tanzania could achieve such a milestone in power generation, then Nigeria can do it even better, with competent and committed leadership.
“A stable power sector is very critical for the journey to a New Nigeria, to which we remain committed.”
