By Nnabugwu Chizoba
The importance of energy, electricity in particular to the development of any society, Plateau State inclusive can never be overemphasized. As a matter of fact, energy generation and distribution is vital to sustainable development, and something everybody must be concerned about and discuss as well.
At the federal, state and local government levels in Nigeria, electricity is vital and inevitably so. Think of the impact that increased energy generation and distribution will have on industrialization of the urban or city centers, semi-urban and rural areas in Nigeria.
For Plateau state long tagged civil service state, which in my view is the effect of the inability of both the state and local governments over the years to reckon with and tap massively from the outputs of the age long educational institutions at the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels reputed widely and celebrated for their excellent records in technical, arts and craft education, business, finance, health, engineering and environmental studies. The inability of the society to tap favourably from this huge human resource deposit gave rise to the notion that Plateaus state is a civil service state.
Increased energy generation and supply at affordable rate to consumers in Plateau state will help to change the ugly narrative that Plateau state is a civil service state. Improved electricity generation and distribution in the state will improve production and manufacturing activities of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating at the state and local government levels. Increased energy generation and distribution is thus inescapable requirement to tap into the massive human capacity deposit that abounds in Plateau state.
In all facets of human endeavor: industrialization, health, education, hospitality and entertainment, electricity supply is a common denominator. Same holds for broadcasting, construction and fabrications, banking and insurance industries.
It is therefore, heartwarming, encouraging and empowering to hear about the audacious move by the Governor of Plateau state, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang when he signed two laws of strategic importance and impact for Plateau state development. The two laws are the:
- Plateau State Energy Corporation
- Plateau State Electricity Marketing Company/Corporation
A popular saying has it that a Man is known by what he intends to achieve. Some people equally hold the view that the sign that Saturday will be good is observed on Friday morning. These expressions say volume about the issue at hand. They go a long way to define the person of the governor in terms of his vision, interest and target for Plateau as a leader. By signing the development oriented, productivity driven, job creation and employment generation laws, the governor indicated the direction of his government, the type of workforce that is needed at every level, the nature of policies and strategies of implementation required as support tools to his government in the state. Interesting, noteworthy and invigorating is the emphasis by Governor Mutfwang that the potential of each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state to contribute significantly to the electricity generation and distribution needs of Plateau state is high. He noted also that renewable energy sources abound in the state and also observed the need to facilitate electricity generation to meet the needs of Plateau state; and to generate excess and ensure that the surplus is sold to the neighboring states.
The vision statement of the Governor when he signed the two laws is captured here: "My vision is for Plateau to become a major electricity provider. With your cooperation and support, this dream is entirely feasible”. He kept it short and simple. This is an open invitation to all and sundry. It is a wakeup call to all members of his cabinet, to Plateau state engineers at the Public and Private sectors: home and in the diaspora, retired and still serving. It is a clarion call to University of Jos, Plateau State University Bokkos, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi and other human development centers in the state. Their input is required as a collaborative and strategic blueprint vital to the realization of the noble, novel and strategic objective of the governor in his agenda setting initiative. The 17 Local Government Area Chairmen in Plateau state must act decisively in support of the governor. Members of the legislative organ at the state, whom the Governor appreciated for the prompt passage of the two bills and solicited continued collaboration for the state's advancement have a huge role to play. The National Assembly members from Plateau state must rally round the governor to ensure that the goals of the two laws are achieved. The need to approach implementation of the two laws as a collective agenda can never be over emphasized. This must not be politicized. It is not a party issue and should not be treated as such. All Politicians in Plateau state must realize this and do the needful.
Governor Mutfwang has laid a good foundation by extending invitation to both local and international investors, and identified clearly the favorable climate and hospitable environment for investment within the state as a huge advantage to the investors. All hands must join as a testimony of the governor’s claim.
Before signing off, your attention is drawn to the statements below:
"This initiative marks a pivotal milestone in our developmental journey, underscoring the indispensable role of electricity. It's second only to water in its importance, as without it, functioning becomes severely constrained"
“This initiative signifies the outset of a journey towards substantial development and affirmed Plateau State's readiness for substantial growth and progress…by governor Mutfwang at the signing of the two new laws.
My concluding remark is: Help to make the journey of energy generation and electricity marketing in Plateau state a safe and jolly ride. Differences should disappear. The task is to surmount every obstacle that may stand against full implementation of the two laws, and it is doable…
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