has decried Nigeria’s centralized power system, recounting how his efforts to provide 24-hour electricity for his state were thwarted under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Attah, who governed Akwa Ibom from 1999 to 2007, shared his frustrations during an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television on Friday.
Attah revealed that despite successfully building a power plant using Akwa Ibom funds, federal regulations imposed by Obasanjo’s administration prevented the state from distributing the electricity it generated. “I used Akwa Ibom money to build the plant, but I cannot distribute power to Akwa Ibom people? I have to put it in the National Grid that is failing all the time,” Attah said, lamenting the inefficiencies of the centralized system.
The octogenarian argued that Nigeria’s current constitution, imposed by the military, hinders progress and calls for a return to true federalism. He highlighted how a federal arrangement would empower states to independently address local challenges, such as energy distribution, without interference from the central government.
Attah commended the recent amendment of the Electricity Act 2023, which grants states the authority to generate, distribute, and regulate electricity within their territories. “Now that the new law has been brought out, our governor, Umo Eno, is working very hard to ensure Akwa Ibom has its own power company to distribute electricity to the people,” he said.
The Electricity Act 2023 has been hailed as a transformative step toward addressing Nigeria’s long-standing energy challenges. In recent years, states like Lagos, Enugu, and Ondo have obtained licenses to regulate electricity generation and distribution locally. Experts believe this decentralization will boost industrialization, improve productivity, and reduce the country’s reliance on the unreliable national grid.
Nigeria’s energy crisis has persisted despite privatization efforts, with frequent grid collapses, rising electricity costs, and dependence on costly alternatives like diesel. The move to empower states, Attah noted, marks a significant shift in tackling these issues and offers hope for sustainable development in the country.
Attah emphasized the importance of true federalism in ensuring equitable development, stating, “Unless and until we go federal, we will not make progress.” He urged policymakers to prioritize constitutional reforms to align governance structures with the nation’s development aspirations.
