Letters

Corruption and the electricity sector

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October 11, 2023 2:30 am

Nigeria’s National Assembly members recently got back from their 49-day annual recess. What feedback did they bring from the people in their constituencies nationwide? For example, one of the bills enacted by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu is the Electricity Act 2023. However, how will the bill improve efficiency in the electricity sector without curbing corruption first? What is new in this new Act that will check corruption? Standards have never been complied with. Nobody has been jailed for non-compliance or for breaches inherent in this critical sector.

Curbing corruption is the sine qua non for any development and growth. Corruption is at the root of inefficiency in the generation and supply of electricity. To build trust in the system to enable local and foreign investors invest in the economy, corruption must go first. Otherwise, all efforts will end up in futility.

How then will corruption be curbed? President Tinubu’s revolution started with the overhaul of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). As a matter of utmost urgency, the energy sector should follow. The scale of corruption and the resulting inefficiency is alarming. Also, corruption cases still pending in courts that have not been disposed off should be investigated. For Nigeria to tread the path of greatness, corruption must be curbed by making our leaders accountable.

John R. Jimoh, Mowe

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