It has been widely acknowledged that the lack of a maintenance culture is a major factor in Nigeria’s underdevelopment. When the government spends scarce resources to build infrastructure such as roads and public buildings and then leaves them to rot over time, the developmental goals associated with such infrastructure ultimately fail.
Political leaders, from the local government to the federal levels, have used funds generated from taxpayers to build different infrastructures. These include manufacturing companies, recreational centers, development-oriented centers, roads, buildings, and more. Despite this, the huge amounts expended on such projects are allowed to go down the drain due to a nonchalant attitude towards maintenance.
Yearly budgets in all layers of Nigeria’s political systems are humongous, but the lack of political will to channel them for appropriate use has caused more harm than good to infrastructure meant to provide employment for millions of unemployed citizens. Corruption has also burrowed into the stems of progress and infrastructural development in Nigeria. It is mind-boggling to see individuals pocketing public funds and hampering development, with little or no punishment meted out to them.
In the transportation sector, many roads in Nigeria are in deplorable conditions and are not motorable, leading to daily loss of lives due to a lack of maintenance. Electricity generation and supply have been inadequate, leading to frequent power outages and rationing. Grid collapses are recorded intermittently, leading to revenue losses, as most jobs in Nigeria rely on power supply.
Many power plants in Nigeria built many decades ago are not performing optimally due to neglect and lack of maintenance. Many dams providing portable water for Nigerians are not adequately maintained, causing enormous pains and hardship for citizens without access to clean water. This has resulted in poor sanitation and the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.
Some of these dams include the Okere Gorge dam in Oyo State, which was started in 1977 but never completed; the multi-purpose dam in Benue State, abandoned since 2011; the Kainji Dam in Niger State, with only eight out of 12 turbines installed; and the Cham Dam in Gombe State, which failed in 1998 due to poor planning and design. Many dams in Southern Nigeria have been neglected, with mature trees growing on their faces.
Healthcare facilities in Nigeria are in a comatose state, with poorly equipped hospitals leading to a decline in citizens’ health and well-being. Many hospitals lack basic infrastructure like beds, theater rooms, and surgical equipment. Many Nigerian-trained doctors have sought greener pastures in other countries with adequate equipment.
The education sector in Nigeria is poorly funded, leading to inadequate infrastructure, dilapidated structures, and a decline in education quality. It is pathetic to see students sitting on the floor or under trees to receive lectures.
For Nigeria to advance economically and socially, proper attention must be paid to infrastructural development and maintenance, which is the backbone of any developed nation. There must be willingness and readiness to tackle challenges by putting the right people in the right positions, rather than using appointments as political compensation.
There is light at the end of the tunnel if governments at every level will do what is needed as the country journeys towards socio-economic development.
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