EXPOSED: OBJ spent N1.6trillion on power!
HE looks very humble. He carries no air of pride around him. He has only one desire which he has been pursuing vigorously for sometime now-this is to see that Nigeria have constant electricity supply. Even at the confrontational risks to his life by a cabal in the power sector, Festus Uboma Mbisiogu, a multiple award winning illustrious son of Imo State with offices in four countries- United States, China, Nigeria and Dubai as headquarters, constantly engages in acts of philanthropy by freely sinking boreholes for various communities in Imo State at several millions of naira. He’s a man who enjoys doing well at all times. In this no-hold-bared interview in UAE with GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, this soft-spoken technocrat reveals the secret of his burning passion to help the needy, why he continually weeps for Nigeria and the desire to break every obstacle in ensuring Nigeria’s power is up and working.
For the purpose of clarity, purposely for Nigerians in the Diaspora, what sort of personality are you?
Let me first of all say, I am the President of Blue Diamond Logistic Group in China. Also, our working schedule spread to Hong Kong, New Jersey, with our head office in Dubai here. Similarly, I run a non-governmental organisation called ‘Good Governance Initiative’ and I have ‘Uzotex Foundation’ which caters directly for the society from the abundance God blesses us with.
Based on your profile and passion for good governance in Nigeria, what inspired this move?
Well, I will start on my foundation. You can bear me witness that in overseas, particularly Asia and Europe, every home have access to portable water and constant electricity. In Nigeria, the case is different. Like in my local government in Imo State, some women including little children trek a minimum of 2km to fetch water. When I went home for my mother’s burial, I discovered that what I went through as a kid that nearly cost me my education is still going on there. Then, we will wake up by 5:30am to go to the stream to fetch water, come back by 7:00am and be ready to go to school. As such, having seen all these things and viewed the performance of Governor Rochas Okorocha in Imo State; I just desire to be part of the good work the present administration in my home state is doing. And our foundation planned to put boreholes in place for the comfort of the community; since it takes 500ft to get water in there and bearing the huge amount of money it attracts. In Nigeria where portable water is being consumed as gold, unlike in Asia, America or Europe where everybody have access to water, I think this is a call from God and we are expected to give back to the society.
I believe most sincerely that most of the things we have, are gifts from God. And when you realize this secret, you are bound to give back to the society as a way of appreciating the goodness of God.
Also, my NGO has strong passion in ensuring we have constant power supply in Nigeria. Being that I live abroad, since my offices are overseas, you will agree with me that 70 % of rapid growth in United Arab Emirates (UAE) is as a result of steady power supply. More especially in China, almost every family has a member represented in manufacturing industry because of the business-friendly environment. When you have constant power supply, you can stay in your room and discover an idea. In spite of the population of Chinese, recent research has shown that to get a job there is extremely difficult because of a lot of manufacturing industries operational there. The Chinese are the highest producer, exporter in the world. I believe strongly that in Nigeria, there is no reason whatsoever for us not to have power. We have all the natural resources and yet our people are suffering.
Nigerian Manufacturers spend N800bn yearly on Diesel
It amazed me to know that Nigerian Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) spent N800bn on diesel per annum. I went further to conduct a separate survey, only to realize that almost every Nigerian family spend between N60,000 to N80,000 on fuel per month apart the maintenance. If you visit the Wuse market in Abuja, Idumota in Alaba, Lagos; almost every shop uses a generator in this modern world. And you will agree with me that going by different publications, almost six to eight people in Nigeria die weekly due to generator explosion or fumes from the generator.
Formation of Good Governance Initiative
What led to my NGO formation was more informed when we were invited to a Chinese trade fair (exhibition) three-four years ago, then as a group of importers from Nigeria, we went to industrial section where machineries were on display, but the only discouraging factor was lack of power. And we left that very section immediately. That day, I took a decision that I must do something to ensure we have constant electricity in Nigeria, be it in form of advocacy. I am passionate about it because we are suffering. Like I earlier said, every home uses generator. This has led to foreign investors’ flight from Nigeria. Hardly or nobody is willing to build industry in Nigeria. But, the investors prefer to take same industries to our neighbouring African countries.
834 Manufacturers left Nigeria
MAN from my statistics have about 2,400 manufacturers in Nigeria as at last five to six years now, just from last year based on my investigation, 834 manufactures left Nigeria. I heard a Chamber of Commerce say if in the next two to three years, the condition of steady power supply is not resolved, they will leave. And that will mean, the nation will be left with say only 100 manufacturers. Their anger: they have spent all their money on either diesel or fuel. Do we fold our arms watching this sad scenario befalling us as a nation? We are trying through our advocacy to convince the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to pay more attention to power. If there is steady power supply 70 % of Nigerian problem is solved. Then, Nigeria will experience massive industrialization-sky scrappers, tall buildings, construction through metro because there will be electricity to power it. Fresh ideas will come up and only then you will know that Nigerians are hard-working people. Electricity failure is one of the major causes of unemployment in Nigeria. When there is constant power, you may be working on shift-work in the morning, afternoon and night. We don’t enjoy any of these opportunities due to lack of steady power supply. I am using this medium to call on all Nigerians in Diaspora to join this advocacy in this crusade for constant electricity power supply to Nigerians.
How can President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration revamp our refineries and bring life into our power sector?
Due to the importance and urgency of this issue, I have met Nigeria’s Minister of power, Professor Barth Nnaji. Also, I met the Minister for Trade & Investment. And on several occasions, I have counseled the president to have only one point agenda-which is power. He should pay less attention to other sectors of the economy. Even the previous administration of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo set up a special committee on power in which I headed; we submitted our report and nothing came out it till date. Obasanjo spent N1.6trillion during his tenure on power, yet no power supply in Nigeria. All of these make my heart bleed in tears for Nigeria.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Watch out for the concluding part of this explosive interview with Festus Mbisiogu soon.
