The New Year has started with the Federal Government yet again promising
that by the end of 2013, we will see electricity generation rise from its
current estimated output of 3000mw to 10,000mw? It will be recalled that over
the last few years we have been promised an increase in power generation at the
beginning and end of every year, yet nothing comes of it. The one constant in
our lives and homes, is our generators and fuel supply, without which we would
have no life at all. We can rely on our generators to provide power as and when
we want it, not PHCN. The power generation in the country is at best, comatose.
Power can be taken ten times in one hour, damaging electrical appliances and
leaving one to foot the cost of these losses or in many instances, no power is
supplied for days or weeks. The issue of power generation despite promises of
privatisation, seems to be a growing one with no end in sight.
Most estates now come as serviced, with power supply for which there is
a charge. Of recent a number of estates have cancelled this service due to
complaints from residents that they are being cheated by the ever increasing
diesel charges. The residents are then left to buy their own individual
generators and supply their own fuel. The problem with this is that most
estates are built with the houses adjoining one another or in close proximity,
thereby not leaving much space to do anything other than park one or two cars,
if at all. Noise becomes a big issue as the neighbour has no control over the
size of generator his neighbour can buy or the fuel spills that go with
refilling the generators. The surroundings then become noisy, choked up and
filthy, leaving the residents living in misery.
During the week I visited an estate in Lekki 1 that had ceased its power
provision to residents at the end of last year. Some residents are moving out
despite their leases not expiring yet, as they will not run their own generators.
This estate has ceased to be a desirable option for those who want their
comforts met at an extra cost.
An estate that can successfully provide services for its residents, will
be a much sought after estate. Unfortunately there is no pleasing some residents
who will always insist on disputing charges, even when the charges have been
broken down to its last kobo, and when they signed they bought or signed the
lease on a property in the estate knowing full well that the estate is to be serviced.
Some of the larger estates have two or three industrial sized generators so
that there is continuous power supply to residents and charges are collected up
to one year in advance.
On the Lagos Island it is common to see prices of properties and
services listed in $. Whilst I do not agree with this, the accepted thinking is
that these properties are targeted at the expatriate community who understand
the value of the dollar better than the naira. Unfortunately these properties
alienate the wider Nigerian market who may also be able to afford to live
there. A lot of high end properties are not being sold or let as quickly as
previously, some are remaining empty for two years or more while the owner
looks for a “corporate letting” or expatriates only. The property market needs
a shakeup in all areas of its operations
No comments:
Post a Comment