Dear Sir,
I extend my warm greetings and congratulations on your appointment as the Minister of Power. I approach you not seeking fame, but as an advocate for good governance through constructive advocacy, aligning with the principles of our jurisprudence.
Without delving into complex rhetoric, I will address the matter directly. Ogbomoso stands as a prominent region in the Southwestern region of Nigeria, home to approximately 1.7 million residents across five local governments and seven local council development areas. The town plays a vital role in the economic well-being of the state, the geopolitical region, and the nation as a whole, making substantial contributions to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
As a writer, I am familiar with the fundamental structure of the power sector, encompassing power generation, transmission, and distribution. It is evident that power distribution is a crucial element in our socioeconomic development. Although Nigeria, including Ogbomoso, has often adapted to an unfortunate status quo, we cannot continue to endure unnecessary hardship when the 21st century has brought advancements in medical practice, offering noninvasive and painless procedures.
We have endured the pain for far too long, 13 years to be precise. To quote Lasisi Olagunju, “You notice that your neighborhood is very quiet throughout the night. NEPA keeps doing its best, transmitting darkness.” Expensive petrol has rendered generators inoperative, reducing noise pollution. Roads are deserted, offering a free outdoor gym. Life has become calm, but as Ebenezer Obey warned, “Eda to mo’se okunkun, ko dakun ma ma d’osupa loro…” (a person who understands the way of darkness should not be heartless to the moon…). Darkness has a peculiar appeal to those who extinguish light. They believe it is therapeutic, insisting that we must embrace the darkness of the night for the day to break, that we must die to live. This is a morbid logic.
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “RENEWED HOPE” agenda, we hold hope that this narrative will change. We are also encouraged by one of the 20 nuggets released by SGF Akume on July 22, 2023: “We need your understanding, cooperation, and buy-in to properly harness our energy sector potential to fuel economic growth. Because we intend to diversify our economy to improve your living conditions, we cannot continue to operate as we always did in the past.” This aligns with our economic aspirations through energy in Ogbomoso.
We earnestly appeal to the officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), an agency under the Ministry of Power led by Adebayo Adelabu, to expedite the completion of the Ogbomoso Power Station located along Ogbomoso-Iresa road. This 2 x 60 MVA, 132/33KVA transmission station project has been in progress for approximately thirteen years, yet it remains incomplete, falling short of our expectations. Your instrumental role in its completion would not only benefit Ogbomoso but also contribute to the greater good.
In conclusion, I offer some expert recommendations, not limited to Ogbomoso but applicable nationwide:
1. Emphasize periodic preventive maintenance and scheduled maintenance for transformers, rather than relying solely on corrective maintenance.
2. Invest in appropriate maintenance and refurbishment of older units to minimize aging and extend the lifespan of transformers.
3. Avoid keeping transformers on-site for extended periods.
Once again, congratulations on your appointment, and we look forward to positive developments in the power sector under your leadership.
Yours sincerely,
Ajadi Isaac Oluwasegun
ajadiisaac76528@gmail.com
