By Jeff Ejiofor

Nsukka and environs suffered from an acute shortage of electricity supply prior to 2015 when Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi took over the mantle of leadership in Enugu state. Nsukka, a university town of over 60 yrs was in a total mess as regards power supply before the inception of this administration.

Unarguably, one could spend two weeks in Nsukka then without a blink of light and when it managed to come, it would be a low voltage that could barely power any appliances. It was indeed a terrible situation and a far cry from what a university town of such premier status should be in a 21st century Nigeria. This unfortunate situation made Nsukka akin to the goose that lays the golden egg but is neglected when it comes to sharing the proceeds therefrom.

A town that hosts the foremost university in Nigeria which has produced many of the country’s finest brains shouldn’t ordinarily be allowed to suffer such unprecedented infrastructural neglect. More pathetic was the fact that the town was not connected to the national grid and no tangible efforts were made by past administrations to address it.

he people were abandoned to their fate, which no doubt made it extremely difficult for them to develop and flourish economically. The harnessing of business potentials became almost impossible as many enterprises that found it herculean to cope with the high cost of running business closed down and relocated to other places.

Expectedly, the socio-economic progress of the people of Nsukka suffered a serious setback and the youths were the most affected. It consequently engendered the migration of people to other viable locations considering the fact that power is the engine of economic development. Welders, barbers, dry cleaners, and other small scale industry operators bore the brunt and could barely survive the high cost of accessing alternative sources of power supply hence, they left in droves.

It is a well-known fact that Nsukka people are good at trade and commerce but have been severely impaired by this problem. Their business inclination which is practically demonstrated in their exploits when operating in conducive environments could not manifest due to this unfortunate reality.

The predicament obviously affected and crippled the economy of the entire area and foreclosed their hope of any meaninful progress. In short, Nsukka was made to look like a perpetual barren land in the world of business and economy. It was indeed an unpleasant situation akin to a catastrophic socio-economic affliction.

However, while all these raged, a power project inside UNN was under construction by the federal government through the Transmission Company of Nigeria. The substation was aimed at installing a 30MVA to connect Nsukka to the national grid for improved power supply in and around the town. Unfortunately, the project according to reliable sources was abandoned for 12 years because of the Right of Way issues, court injunctions, and lack of funds to string the 132KV transmission line to the substation.

As luck would have it for the people, a governor who has the interest of the masses at heart emerged in 2015 in the person of Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. On assumption of office, he sought to know the problem and its possible solution. He went to the Transmission Company of Nigeria to find out the actual reason Nsukka substation had not been completed and energized. His findings showed that paucity of fund, right of way issues, and court injunctions were the major impediments that stalled the actualization of the process. As a proactive and resilient leader who desires the progress of his people, he swung into action and reached out to the presidency as well as TCN officials. In the end, his efforts yielded fruits as the presidency cleared the 12-year hurdle and paved the way for the completion of the substation. However, not without some sacrifice, as he had to facilitate the actualization process by making available the necessary funds to clear the intractable right of way issues to enable the construction of a five-kilometer transmission line connecting the substation to the national grid. That was how the governor saved the situation and got the Nsukka substation energized to permanently put to rest the perennial power problem of Nsukka and environs. Another pleasant information at my disposal indicates that a bigger transformer is about to be installed in the substation to enhance its power transmission capacity.

Apparently, this is indeed a great feat by a man of wisdom and intellect, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Nsukka and environs now enjoy an improved power supply of unprecedented magnitude. The usual acute power outage which was the trademark of Nsukka has now become history as things are currently taking the right shape.

As expected, businesses now springing up on daily basis with the attendant influx of people in search of greener pastures. Most adjoining communities now experience viable economic activities with businesses such as welding, barbing, dry cleaning, etc. thriving optimally. Both small and medium scale industries now have the opportunity to grow in Nsukka, making it the undisputable second-largest city in Enugu state.

Also, Lecturers and staff of UNN who hitherto usually go to work from Enugu are now beginning to reside at Nsukka. The university town and the adjoining communities can now boast of stable electricity supply by Nigerian standards.

However, due to the governor’s quiet disposition, only very few people knew about this, and the role he played in solving the Nsukka power problem so as to actualize the dream of an economically viable town. Ugwuanyi is indeed an enigma and a game-changer. He has changed Nsukka from an obscure sleeping giant to a viable modern city currently hosting the largest indigenous production factory in Enugu state.

Enugu that was formally known as one city-state is gradually becoming a multi-city society under Gburugburu. Emerging urban settlements like 9th Mile, Oji River, Agbani, and Obollo Afor are all testimonies of hard work and responsible leadership. Nsukka residents cannot thank His Excellency enough for this deserving rescue action by him. When we talk about development, we look at catalysts for socio-economic development, and the power supply is undisputably indispensable. Ugwuanyi has demonstrated enough resolve to open up rural communities since the inception of his administration and his timely intervention in this matter is a clear testimony of responsible governance. Kudos to you Gburugburu, a leader of immense capacity.

Enugu is in the safe hands of God

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