Power failure in Nigeria: UCH in the eye of the storm
Kunle OYELEYE
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Electricity supply in Nigeria has long been a challenge, with perennial outage a way of life in many communities in the country. Though some states stand out for their relatively stable power supply, offering a glimpse of hope and progress. Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Federal Capital Territory are the top 4 states that are lighting the way forward and achieving significant development due to solid infrastructure to support the system.
In recent times, major companies have fled the country due to power challenge ravaging the country, which was having damning effects on their business productions and manufacturing. It is unfortunate and one is embittered that the following companies have left the shores of the country between 2023 and now.
*Procter and Gamble
*UNILEVER PLC
*PICK N PAY
*CAPITAL HOTELS
*PZ CUSHIONS
Some others that have left or scaled down their operations are among the following:
*GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Ltd
*ShopRite Nigeria
*Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria Ltd
*Equinox Nigeria
*Bolt Food & Jumia Food Nigeria
*Tiger Brands Ltd.
*Woolworths Holdings Ltd.
*Bayer AG
*Microsoft Nigeria
*Total Energies Nigeria
*Kimberly-Clerk Nigeria
*Diageo Plc .
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The damning effects of this industrial flight cannot be overstated on the economy of the country, professional career of Nigerians, the health of the nation due to scarcity of drugs and consummables that result. Many of these companies are responsible for vital domestic needs of the country, so the raison detre for maddening surge in prices.
Recently, a video surfaced online on the degenerating status of the Nigeria’s premier hospital, the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, where protest ensued among categories of people suspected to be families of in-patients or staff against the management of the hospital lamenting the epileptic power and water supplies within the hospital. The management in a swift reaction rose in stout defence of the ineptitude and blamed it on the power supplier lamenting the regime of exorbitant and crazy bills, which it said amounts to 80 to 90 million naira on a monthly basis. This humongous debt was the basis for the disconnection slammed on the hospital by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company(IBEDC), which has plunged the College Hospital, that was established by an Act of British Parliament in November, 1952, in response to the need for the training of medical personnel and other healthcare professionals for the country and the West African Sub-Region, int total and constant darkness for some time now. The hospital at different times served as Mecca in Africa where the high and mighty went for medical tourism because of the world class facilities and professionals the edifice boasted.
Considering many medical equipment that may not function without adequate power supply in the hospital such as Electrocardiogram (ECG) Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electromyography EMG sensors, ultrasound imaging, heart rate monitors, glucometers, digital thermometers, pacemakers, ventilator machines etc, this perils and endangers patients.
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It is unfortunate and ironic this hospital, which has recorded several landmarks, medical breakthroughs and excellence in the past, the once efficient and excellent medical service provider is now a shadow of its own and shame of the nation.
What is the way forward?
In view of the foregoing, the National Assembly needs to as a matter of public urgency comes to the rescue of all publìc institutions rendering health and educational services to Nigerians by legislating for free consumption for them. Electricity distribution companies should not take advantage of these public institutions by giving crazy bills. Even, if 50 percent is solicited for them, distribution companies may hide on it to jerk up their bills to make the bills crazy. The institutional breakdown is not peculiar to only UCH, several cases of such have been reported happening everywhere in all our institutions, thus innocent souls are dying daily as a result of this menace, it can be anyone anytime, government should have the love of the masses at heart, removing UCH from revenue generation cannot diminish their income from Ibadan, access to steady and stable electricity is part of the right of the citizens and government should not only be concerned on making money, the health of the citizens must be prioritised. If the distribution companies kick on making it free, then, Federal Ministry of Health should pay directly to distribution companies with the caveat of zero tolerance for phase open for the hospitals. Institutions as UCH should not only be running on dedicated lines, there should be alternative mean of power supply affordable and sustainable enough to run heavy medical machines they are using .
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Mandating renewable energy.
The government can require government agencies and distribution companies to purchase a certain amount of their power from renewable resources. This can be done through long-term power purchase at a reduced cost for the benefits of the public the institutions are serving.
If multinational companies are closing up in Nigeria, should our health care providers founded and funded to care and train the citizens be relocated abroad? Enough of this shame and ridicule.
