The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed alarm over the Federal Government’s possible deliberate neglect regarding the ongoing power blackouts in northern Nigeria, which they believe are exacerbating the region’s economic difficulties.
This assertion comes amid persistent power outages in northern Nigeria, attributed to vandalism of electricity transmission lines.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF called on the Federal Government to urgently declare a state of emergency concerning the power outages and the unequal electricity distribution nationwide.
The group noted that many northern states have been experiencing continuous power failures for over a week, severely disrupting economic and social activities and fueling public frustration.
The ACF raised concerns about comments from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) suggesting that the outages might continue due to technical and security challenges. They questioned why the northern region, which produces a substantial share of the nation’s electricity, receives such a limited allocation in return.
Pointing out the imbalance, the Forum highlighted that Lagos has eight power substations, while the entire northern region, home to over half of Nigeria’s population, has only three substations located in Jos, Kaduna, and Kano.
“This scenario poses a serious threat to national security. The silence of public officials on this matter represents a serious failure in their duties,” the statement emphasized.
Rejecting the idea that the crisis is a result of previous mismanagement, the ACF criticized the Federal Government for using banditry along power lines as an excuse for their inaction.
“It is unacceptable that our well-resourced security agencies are unable to eliminate these bandits and protect the power lines,” the group contended.
The power crisis has severely impacted small and medium-sized businesses, from phone charging stations to food processors, many of which lack affordable energy alternatives. Homes and offices are suffering in oppressive heat, with residents enduring hot days and dark nights.
The ACF condemned the perceived apathy of government leaders and urged the Federal Government to treat the power crisis as a national security priority.
They also called for equitable distribution of power resources, highlighting the irony that the North “provides the light yet is plunged into darkness.”
“This inequitable situation must be addressed immediately for the sake of national stability, fairness, and equity,” the ACF declared, urging northern state governors and members of the National Assembly to advocate strongly for action.
