Power Engineers Blame Politics for Sector Woes
- CIPEN attributes Nigeria’s electricity crisis to political interference.
- Israel Abraham emphasizes the need for competence over loyalty in key roles.
- CIPEN is working to address energy poverty through structured training and licensing programs.
- The institute plans to forge partnerships between the industry and academic institutions.
- Ahmad Kaitafi advocates for cost-reflective tariffs to attract private investment.
Political Influence Hinders Power Sector Progress
Power engineers in Nigeria have pointed fingers at political interference for the ongoing electricity crisis in the country. The Chartered Institute of Power Engineers of Nigeria, or CIPEN, recently expressed concerns that the political landscape and the choice of leadership have dramatically failed the energy sector. CIPEN President, Israel Abraham, highlighted in Abuja that the appointments of individuals lacking expertise have been detrimental to progress toward resolving significant issues plaguing the power supply.
Need for Competent Leadership in Energy Sector
During a press briefing commemorating the institute’s second anniversary, Abraham remarked that political loyalty often outweighs competence when it comes to key appointments. “The most prominent challenge in the power sector is politics,” he declared, reflecting on the complexities of governance in the industry. He further emphasized that achieving real change necessitates bold political decisions and strategic leadership appointments based solely on merit, not political affiliations. Without fostering a skilled leadership base, any incipient reforms might not yield notable improvements in delivering sustainable energy.
CIPEN Initiatives for Improving Professional Standards
CIPEN’s leadership aims to tackle energy poverty and has introduced various initiatives aimed at elevating the standards for engineers working in the industry. Abraham spoke about a tiered licensing program designed to elevate service quality and professionalism among power systems engineers. The new initiatives also emphasize collaboration between the industry and academic institutions, creating a foundation for shared responsibility in research and workforce development—essential components for the growth of power engineering in Nigeria. This collaborative framework, he believes, is key to building a competent workforce that can respond effectively to the ever-evolving dynamics of the power sector.
Political challenges remain a significant hurdle for Nigeria’s electricity sector, according to the Chartered Institute of Power Engineers of Nigeria. Their recommendations focus on appointing capable professionals to leadership positions to drive reforms. The institute’s efforts include new licensing programs and collaboration between industry and academia, aiming to bolster credibility and improve overall service delivery in the Nigerian power landscape.
