By Folorunso Alagbede
An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has urged the Federal Government to institute a probe into the perennial collapse of the national power grid.
MURIC made the call on Friday through a statement signed by its Founder and Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola.
The organization equally appealed to the Federal government to find a lasting solution to Nigeria’s culture of darkness.
“A probe of the causes of the constant collapse of the national grid is long overdue. It is now or never. Even if heads have to roll, so be it.
“We want to know why the national grid cannot function properly even after Federal Government spent a total sum of N29.3 billion to repair 266 electricity towers damaged by vandals nationwide through the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) cares for the welfare of Nigerians just as we do for Allah-given fundamental rights of Nigerian Muslims.
“Our vision of Nigeria is that of a nation enjoying technological development; where hunger is a misnomer and homelessness is an anathema; a nation where people live together in peace and harmony; a nation in which no one is oppressed; where every citizen enjoys Allah-given fundamental human rights regardless of class, creed, or ethnicity”, the statement said.
It continued: “It will be recalled that the national grid collapsed for the second time in the last two days.
“We are deeply disturbed because constant and stable electricity is central to the emergence of Nigeria from industrial comatose.
“We cannot get technology right until we can beat our chests that electricity is stable round the clock. Besides, Nigeria’s persistent power crisis will continue to cripple its economy unless something is done urgently.
“Reliable supply of electricity is key to curing several ailments afflicting this country from economy to health, education, information technology, adequate security, entertainment, etc.
“In particular, Nigeria loses huge amounts of money in trade deficits as a result of poor power supply.
“According to a new report by Standard Chartered, Nigeria loses $26 billion yearly to power failures.NSomething must be done to halt this colossal waste.
“Nigerian youths who should be in factories are roaming the streets in search of jobs because of this same power crisis facing the country.
“There is also no gainsaying the symbiotic relationship between unemployment and the proliferation of crimes.
“There is no scintilla of doubt that constant supply of electricity is in a tripartite connection with the availability of jobs and crime rate in any society.
“Tuesday’s incident marked the tenth of such unfortunate failures in the power sector in 2024 alone.
“ Coming at a time some improvement has begun to appear in the power sector, it was one collapse too many and Nigerians are beginning to suspect ineptitude, corruption or outright sabotage.
“Whatever it may be, Nigerians have the right to know and FG owes us a duty to find out.
“MURIC therefore calls on FG to beam its searchlight on the power sector.”
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
