I cannot be a staff of PHCN or NEPA in Nigeria irrespective of bonuses attached!

There were many TV programs we enjoyed watching a couple of years ago, and only a few households had generator sets or enjoyed the privilege of owning alternate power supplies like solar and inverter systems. Thus, we were at the mercy of the power supply organization, which here in Nigeria used to be called the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) before it got privatized to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), but Nigerians have found it difficult to stop calling the organization NEPA (including me).

While we watched these interesting TV programs, it seemed the people in charge of supplying and withholding the power equally watched those programs, and when it got to crucial or vital parts of the program or movie, the NEPA would then deem it fit or best to interrupt the power supply. This is usually followed by screams and shouts by different households with exclamations such as "Ah". These reactions are spontaneously followed by rains of curses on the NEPA staff, and sincerely, I am guilty of raining curses on them, which were mostly out of the bitterness and displeasure that we experienced from their actions.

Their actions do not end with interrupting the power supply when we consider it most critical. Many households suffered from long absences of the power supply, and eventually, when they do supply the power, the voltage could be erratic. The voltage could be low or high enough to damage some electrical items in the house. NEPA people also became predictable in Nigeria. Once we see the cloud darken with the threat of rain, it becomes common knowledge that the power supply will be interrupted, and not just for that period; it could be for hours, days, or even weeks. In some instances, when we get power supply for many days with few interruptions, we brace our minds for exorbitant bills, and unfortunately, most households use estimated billing compared to now that prepaid meters are more common.

The bills charged to households were exorbitant despite the power supply being epileptic and erratic, thus making some households engage in illegal pole-wire connections, especially during the nighttime. People detested seeing NEPA staff around households either for the distribution of bills or to cut wires supplying power as a result of indebtedness.

There were many cases of physical aggressiveness towards NEPA staff by embittered residents who sometimes even hurt them. Ladders belonging to NEPA staff have been seized, and sometimes their staff have been beaten to pulp by angry residents.

Generally, people hate the word NEPA, and it has more stigma than relevance. Recently, many households have begun to find alternatives to power supply through solar or inverter systems, which are noiseless and do not warrant frequent purchases of fuel. Recently, my cousin installed Sun King Solar in his house and claims to pay N2500 per week for a total of 14 months. By my calculation, that was N140, 000 ($150), which is fair enough even though I have yet to find details on its durability.

In my house also, my prepaid meter got exhausted for more than two weeks, and I have been unable to recharge it since the new meter is yet to be configured. I have managed my MTN Lumos solar to supply power both day and night, although I am unable to press my clothes.

IMAGE CREDIT IS MINE

NEPA, or PHCN, is a sector I am not willing to work in here in Nigeria irrespective of anything that could come as bonuses or allowances to the job. I am uncomfortable with the load of curses and stigma attached to the sector and would rather find something else to do.

Thank you for reading. I would love to have your comments and contributions.