Improved power supply: Previous efforts or Buhari’s body language?

I have observed in utter amusement, the assertion by some well-placed Nigerians, who should know better; that the current improvement in National power generation, which has translated into improved electricity supply to some Nigerians, is being occasioned by “the body language” of President Muhammadu Buhari.  Lest our young ones, who are the leaders of tomorrow, […]

I have observed in utter amusement, the assertion by some well-placed Nigerians, who should know better; that the current improvement in National power generation, which has translated into improved electricity supply to some Nigerians, is being occasioned by “the body language” of President Muhammadu Buhari.  Lest our young ones, who are the leaders of tomorrow, begin to believe such balderdash, it has become necessary to highlight the factors that currently underpin the modest improvements that has been recorded by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, and the factors the current Government should focus on, if the current gains are to be sustained and improved upon.
For the avoidance of doubt, grid-based power generation and supply, in the last week of August 2015, was at a record high of 4,655MW during peak generation, against a suppressed grid load of 14,630MW; meaning that approximately 32% of Nigerians connected to the National grid had electricity supply.  Viewed against approximate 4,150MW peak generation recorded in July 2015 or about 1,750MW in 1999, this indicates relatively good and improving power generation performance. Though it must be highlighted that this performance cannot be termed “good”, when 68% of Nigerians connected to the grid do not have electricity supply. 
It is against this backdrop that the need to assess the success factors that have contributed to the improved performance become fundamental, hoping that the current Government will borrow a leaf from this analysis, to ensure that they remaining 68% of Nigerians are catered for, rather than propagate the propaganda of “body language”.
On 1st February 2015, the Transitional Electricity Market (TEM) was declared; consequently, the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) was pushed to a level where all transactions in the electricity market became contract-based. This implies that investors- both local and foreign- in the NESI, namely gas supply, power generation, power transmission and power distribution value-chain, can only be paid based on contracted performance.  This contract performance is supported via letters of credit, which can be drawn-down, in the case of non-performance.
It is a combination of all these factors, which have been implemented from 2005 to date, capped with the declaration of the Transitional Electricity Market by the former Federal Minister of Power, which has resulted in the improved electricity supply, which 32% of grid-connected Nigerians are enjoying today.
The Government of President Muhammadu Buhari, if he intends on getting electricity supply to the remaining 68% of Nigerians connected to the grid, must, therefore, ignore the false claims by sycophants and hangers-on that the improvement in electric power supply is due to his “body language”, “integrity”, and “the fear of President Muhammadu Buhari”.
The government must also ensure that future Government policies are aimed at electricity market stability in order to continue attracting local and foreign investment into the NESI.  In line with the stance of previous Governments, ad-hoc adjustments to the electricity market structure and tariff’s MUST BE avoided.  Additionally, government ministries, departments and agencies must be made to pay their electricity bills. I believe Buhari can do these and even much more.
Madu is an Abuja-based Power consultant.