We have arrived in Angola, the number 2 producer of oil in sub-Sahara Africa; and the third largest producer on the continent behind Nigeria, and Libya.
For the benefit of those who do not know much about Angola, it fought for years to get self-government for her colonial master Portugal, who reluctantly had to leave in 1975. Portugal was reluctant to leave because at the time it was probably the poorest country in Europe (and it is still close to the bottom here in the year 2008), and like the rest of the colonizers, was raping its colonies of raw material.
You will think after the colonial masters left, self-government would bring peace, wrong! There was a bitter civil war between 2 main factions ( MPLA-PT (Movimento Popular de Libertacao de Angola-Partido do Trabalho led by Antonio Neto, and UNITA –Uniao Nacional para a Independecia Total de Angola led by Jonas Savimbi).
Jonas Savimbi is gone, Antonio Neto is gone, how much improvement is there in the lives of the Angolans? The population is estimated at 16 million. Oil is flowing, water is not in every household, in fact, there is water shortage in a large segment of the population.
What about the main topic of this Blog-- Electricity? Well, like every country with delved into, the real numbers are hard to come-by, and what is available is sketchy at best. Over 60% of electricity comes from hydro (my favorite, very “green”), Matala dam in south west Angola that went into operations in 2001 on the Cunene River, is the main source of electricity; the Cambambe dam when it is operating at full capacity produces over 150 Megawatts, the Mabubas dam on the Dande River makes its fair contribution; then comes the rest from thermal, (no nuclear thank the Almighty for that).
So what segment of the population has electricity? Estimates are, less than 20%. Folks, how can that be possible? You will think with all the oil money, a larger part of the population would have access to electricity.
The civil war has been over for some time, the oil is flowing (as much as it is not that “green”, there are communities all around the globe that get their electricity completely from diesel gensets), preventive maintenance is keep production below capability. Blackouts are rampant in Angola, and water supply is not reliable.
I have mixed feelings about giving an opinion of this particular environment, but trouble makers like Savimbi are no longer around, so what is the "poor excuse" from those running the place?
I see nothing but a bunch of hippos in this landscape.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Electricity Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
We are now in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My anxiety level is running very high. The question is, why? The answer is an oxymoron. By the time you finish reading you will realize why.
To start with, Democratic Republic of Congo (I will call Kinshasa), is about the size of the United States East of the Mississippi (and Kinshasa is not the largest country in Africa). Kinshasa is home to rare animal species and a large potential for wealth in the form of highly valuable minerals and natural resources (cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, timber to name a few).
With all these, Congo (Kinshasa) is also one of the poorest, most chaotic nations in the world; destroyed by Military coups, dictatorships, that by some estimates have claimed millions of lives in the past 48 years. In just about every part of the country, law and order, electricity and medicine are virtually nonexistent.
This blog is about electricity or lack there of, so lets go to the topic. For starters, Kinshasa has the potential to be self-sufficient in electricity NOW, and I mean PRESENT time. But it is not. This is why, like the Tennessee River in the United States of America and its hydroelectric dams, the Congo River of Kinshasa is the host to the Inga dams. Inga 1 was commissioned in the early 1970’s; Inga 2 was commissioned in the early 1980’s.
The sad situation is this, like all the countries I have already talked about, there is gross incompetence in Africa when it comes to preventive maintenance. The people who are in charge of these power generating stations tend to forget that Machines are like human beings, they need fuel to work, and where human beings go to the doctors for a check-up, machines need to be shutdown for check-ups too. Bearings may have to be replaced, with regard to hydro-generators, rotating coils and stator coils may have to be rebuilt. Inga 1 has a potential for 351 Megawatts of electricity, while Inga 2 has a potential for 1424 Megawatts; Inga 1 and 2 combined has a total potential for 1800 Megawatts (1.8 Gigawatts), but the two combine are producing less than700 Megawatts, and had never produced more while the late egocentric Mobutu Sese Sekko was in power. Folks, we are talking about my favorite subject GREEN electricity. The dams have already been built, and commissioned, and are running under capacity because some fool thinks it is better to put money away in Europe for the former colonial masters to keep safely, while the masses are starving and suffering with no medicines in the hospitals.
Now there comes the Grand Inga, this hydro-electric complex when completed, is supposed to be able to supply the electricity needs of the WHOLE of Africa. The question is, how can that be possible, if you are NOT able to take care of the little ones, how can you take care of the bigger ones.
It is like human raring, if parents CANNOT take of their little children, how can they be expected to take care of their older, bigger elderly parents.
Folks, this landscape with all her troubles, have more Hippos than one can count.
To start with, Democratic Republic of Congo (I will call Kinshasa), is about the size of the United States East of the Mississippi (and Kinshasa is not the largest country in Africa). Kinshasa is home to rare animal species and a large potential for wealth in the form of highly valuable minerals and natural resources (cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, timber to name a few).
With all these, Congo (Kinshasa) is also one of the poorest, most chaotic nations in the world; destroyed by Military coups, dictatorships, that by some estimates have claimed millions of lives in the past 48 years. In just about every part of the country, law and order, electricity and medicine are virtually nonexistent.
This blog is about electricity or lack there of, so lets go to the topic. For starters, Kinshasa has the potential to be self-sufficient in electricity NOW, and I mean PRESENT time. But it is not. This is why, like the Tennessee River in the United States of America and its hydroelectric dams, the Congo River of Kinshasa is the host to the Inga dams. Inga 1 was commissioned in the early 1970’s; Inga 2 was commissioned in the early 1980’s.
The sad situation is this, like all the countries I have already talked about, there is gross incompetence in Africa when it comes to preventive maintenance. The people who are in charge of these power generating stations tend to forget that Machines are like human beings, they need fuel to work, and where human beings go to the doctors for a check-up, machines need to be shutdown for check-ups too. Bearings may have to be replaced, with regard to hydro-generators, rotating coils and stator coils may have to be rebuilt. Inga 1 has a potential for 351 Megawatts of electricity, while Inga 2 has a potential for 1424 Megawatts; Inga 1 and 2 combined has a total potential for 1800 Megawatts (1.8 Gigawatts), but the two combine are producing less than700 Megawatts, and had never produced more while the late egocentric Mobutu Sese Sekko was in power. Folks, we are talking about my favorite subject GREEN electricity. The dams have already been built, and commissioned, and are running under capacity because some fool thinks it is better to put money away in Europe for the former colonial masters to keep safely, while the masses are starving and suffering with no medicines in the hospitals.
Now there comes the Grand Inga, this hydro-electric complex when completed, is supposed to be able to supply the electricity needs of the WHOLE of Africa. The question is, how can that be possible, if you are NOT able to take care of the little ones, how can you take care of the bigger ones.
It is like human raring, if parents CANNOT take of their little children, how can they be expected to take care of their older, bigger elderly parents.
Folks, this landscape with all her troubles, have more Hippos than one can count.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Electricity Congo (Brazzaville)
Thanks for traveling with me on this journey. It has been quite an experience but no thrill for me, considering some of the difficult situations I have encountered. But we are not here to white-wash anything no matter how ugly it turns out to be.
We are now in the Congo Republic (Brazzaville ) not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa); and yes they are neighbors and share a common border.
For the record, the President of this country is Denis Sassou Nguesoo who has been in power since 1997 (that is eleven years in office). Since self-governance was attained in 1960 from the French colonial masters, things have not been smooth in this environment. The first President Alphonse Massamba Debat was toppled in a military coup, and the leader of the coup, who became the head of state was himself assassinated in March 1977.
This is the land of the pygmies, and the indigenous pygmies are now SLAVES of the Bantus. These pygmies work for their masters and are only paid by with whatever their Bantu masters think they deserve ( used items, cigarettes, clothes etc.) This is one black man mistreating another black man, and the white man has nothing to do with it.
With all this turmoil, the report card is going to be that of Sassou Nguesoo. To start with, water availability is just over 20%. Electricity is only available to less than 10% of the population. Should we judge hard or soft? To start with, Brazzaville is an oil producer, and the government has borrowed heavily against future oil proceeds (talking about selling your soul to the devil), so anything coming out of the ground, already belong to the creditors (mostly Europeans).
Available information is that electricity production is around 60 Megawatts, even though there is a potential to produce about 45 times as much. At the present time, Brazzaville is producing much less than what it needs.
I know this blog is about electricity, but learning about the enslavement of black pygmies by black Bantus, has really dampened my spirit, and caused me a lot of distress.
What do I see in this environment? Nothing, but a herd of hippos.
We are now in the Congo Republic (Brazzaville ) not to be confused with the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa); and yes they are neighbors and share a common border.
For the record, the President of this country is Denis Sassou Nguesoo who has been in power since 1997 (that is eleven years in office). Since self-governance was attained in 1960 from the French colonial masters, things have not been smooth in this environment. The first President Alphonse Massamba Debat was toppled in a military coup, and the leader of the coup, who became the head of state was himself assassinated in March 1977.
This is the land of the pygmies, and the indigenous pygmies are now SLAVES of the Bantus. These pygmies work for their masters and are only paid by with whatever their Bantu masters think they deserve ( used items, cigarettes, clothes etc.) This is one black man mistreating another black man, and the white man has nothing to do with it.
With all this turmoil, the report card is going to be that of Sassou Nguesoo. To start with, water availability is just over 20%. Electricity is only available to less than 10% of the population. Should we judge hard or soft? To start with, Brazzaville is an oil producer, and the government has borrowed heavily against future oil proceeds (talking about selling your soul to the devil), so anything coming out of the ground, already belong to the creditors (mostly Europeans).
Available information is that electricity production is around 60 Megawatts, even though there is a potential to produce about 45 times as much. At the present time, Brazzaville is producing much less than what it needs.
I know this blog is about electricity, but learning about the enslavement of black pygmies by black Bantus, has really dampened my spirit, and caused me a lot of distress.
What do I see in this environment? Nothing, but a herd of hippos.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Elctricity Gabon
We have arrived in Gabon, in Equatorial Africa.
For the record, Gabon is NOT a monarchy, but supposedly a republic, yet from November 1967 to this day, there has been only one person at the helm, in the name of Omar Bongo (formerly Albert-Bernard Bongo). Mr. Bongo and his children are running the country. With the Bongo children as Ministers or Director: and Papa Bongo as the President.
Anyway, Gabon is supposed to have about 400 Megawatts of electricity. I am using the word “supposed” because like just about every country in Africa, the word preventive maintenance is a foreign word.
Here is how the 400 Megawatts production is shaped. About 250 Megawatts comes from thermal reactors, the balance of 150 Megawatts comes from Hydro (my favorite and very green).
The hydro dams are located in Tchimbele, M’Bei , and Kinguélé, Poubara, Bongolo.
Over 75% of Gabonese have access to electricity; how many are really enjoying it is a different can of worm.
It is hard to tell if Gabon is meeting her needs, because lack of rainfall resulted in some blackouts in Libreville. One thing for sure, there is no extra-ordinary exploration of mineral resources in Gabon, an indication that, electricity is not enough.
Since we are only evaluating how much electricity is being produce, not who is in charge, I have to say with some reservations that the Bongos are doing a good job. However, if the banks in Switzerland would talk, and the question is what symbolic animal do we see in this landscape?
Well, weighing all that is involved, I will say we have hippos.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Electricity Equatorial Guinea
We have arrived in Equatorial Guinea (which for simplicity we will call EG).
EG obtained Independence from Spanish rule in 1968. For some strange reason, EQ has 2 national languages (Spanish and French). But we are not here to talk about languages, so lets go resources and energy.
When it comes to resources, EQ is playing third fiddle to only Nigeria and Angola in oil production in sub-Sahara Africa. Estimates are that, EQ probably has 10% of the world’s crude oil reserves. Oil accounts for more than 85% of EQ exports.
Now lets see what all the money being realized from oil is being used for. For the record, like most African countries of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and to some extend the early 90’s, Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO seized power in a military coup, and although EQ now has a constitutional government, with Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO still as the president; does this smell like Ghana and Rawlings or Gaddafi and Libya to name a few.
We are not dealing with imaginary electricity, just what is currently available (the real thing). Equatorial Guinea's electricity generating capacity varies, with 15.4 megawatts (MW) of installed and working capacity, and 5-30 MW of installed but not producing, the reason is the same sickness, (Lack of maintenance). Less than 5.0 MW are located on the mainland, including 4 MW of oil-fired thermal capacity and 1 MW of hydroelectric capacity.
Bioko Island is getting electricity from two thermal plants and one hydroelectric plant. The expansion of natural gas production at the Alba field in recent years has provided a convenient fuel source for new power generation in the country. The 10.4-MW, natural gas-fired Punta plant began operation in 2000, supplying gas-fired electricity to Bioko Island.
By all accounts, EQ is self-sufficient, but as to how much of the country has electricity, the numbers are not available, of course, the rural communities are not all lit, so your guess is as good as mine.
Regardless of how I feel about a military person ruling a country by way of coup, I have no choice but to say with tongue in cheek that, there are cheetahs in this landscape.
EG obtained Independence from Spanish rule in 1968. For some strange reason, EQ has 2 national languages (Spanish and French). But we are not here to talk about languages, so lets go resources and energy.
When it comes to resources, EQ is playing third fiddle to only Nigeria and Angola in oil production in sub-Sahara Africa. Estimates are that, EQ probably has 10% of the world’s crude oil reserves. Oil accounts for more than 85% of EQ exports.
Now lets see what all the money being realized from oil is being used for. For the record, like most African countries of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and to some extend the early 90’s, Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO seized power in a military coup, and although EQ now has a constitutional government, with Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO still as the president; does this smell like Ghana and Rawlings or Gaddafi and Libya to name a few.
We are not dealing with imaginary electricity, just what is currently available (the real thing). Equatorial Guinea's electricity generating capacity varies, with 15.4 megawatts (MW) of installed and working capacity, and 5-30 MW of installed but not producing, the reason is the same sickness, (Lack of maintenance). Less than 5.0 MW are located on the mainland, including 4 MW of oil-fired thermal capacity and 1 MW of hydroelectric capacity.
Bioko Island is getting electricity from two thermal plants and one hydroelectric plant. The expansion of natural gas production at the Alba field in recent years has provided a convenient fuel source for new power generation in the country. The 10.4-MW, natural gas-fired Punta plant began operation in 2000, supplying gas-fired electricity to Bioko Island.
By all accounts, EQ is self-sufficient, but as to how much of the country has electricity, the numbers are not available, of course, the rural communities are not all lit, so your guess is as good as mine.
Regardless of how I feel about a military person ruling a country by way of coup, I have no choice but to say with tongue in cheek that, there are cheetahs in this landscape.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Electricity Central African Republic
Here we are in Central Africa, and our journey has taken us to the Central African Republic, popularly know as CAR.
For starters, like most, and I mean most African countries, this is one place where they have a lot of mineral resources like diamond, uranium, gold, and natural resources like timber and oil. Did I say oil? Well, they have it but it is not being developed, because there is no electricity.
Blackouts are the norm in CAR, at times, the blackouts lasts for days. One will think with the mineral resources, even if there is no hydro, at least diesel powered generators sets can take care of the shortfall in electricity supply.
Folks, do I see another African leaders going to Switzerland like Mobutu and his cronies did. This whole idea of African leaders not liking the domestic Banks is nothing but stupidity. When they go to meet the maker, the European Bankers would have a field day or shall I say field days with the sweat of the little people in Africa.
Before independence, the colonial masters come to rape the colonies of the raw materials and the money; today, they sit and wait, and we take the money to them. This is Neocolonialism.
I do not see any cheetahs on this landscape, CAR is filled with hippos.
For starters, like most, and I mean most African countries, this is one place where they have a lot of mineral resources like diamond, uranium, gold, and natural resources like timber and oil. Did I say oil? Well, they have it but it is not being developed, because there is no electricity.
Blackouts are the norm in CAR, at times, the blackouts lasts for days. One will think with the mineral resources, even if there is no hydro, at least diesel powered generators sets can take care of the shortfall in electricity supply.
Folks, do I see another African leaders going to Switzerland like Mobutu and his cronies did. This whole idea of African leaders not liking the domestic Banks is nothing but stupidity. When they go to meet the maker, the European Bankers would have a field day or shall I say field days with the sweat of the little people in Africa.
Before independence, the colonial masters come to rape the colonies of the raw materials and the money; today, they sit and wait, and we take the money to them. This is Neocolonialism.
I do not see any cheetahs on this landscape, CAR is filled with hippos.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Electricity Cameroon
Cameroon has been Independent for more than 40 years. To-date less than 10% of the total population is enjoying electricity.
Thanks to oil flowing from the North (that is Chad) Cameroon is getting some amount of oil, without worrying about shipping and oil tankers. You think with this opportunity, the powers that are would take advantage and commission diesel generators to move them closer to the 21st century.
I do not want to come across as being mean or too hard, but what are those in authority doing with whatever proceeds and for that matter the resources that they have and are getting.
Cameroon seems to have some bauxite, and to mine and process it; Alucam (Canada) is using almost 50% of the electricity generated. You think with the high cost of aluminum (aluminium) on the world market, there would be investment in electricity. There are plans to build one or more hydro dams along the Sanage River. But folks, hydro takes more than 3 years to build; and I love it because it is as green as you can get when it comes to power generation, but until one is completed, you need, diesel generators. Sure, damming a locale results in displacement of animals and humanoids, but it GREEN and helps with irrigation.
I look at this landscape, and after more than 40 years of self-determination or Independence, I only see hippos, and no cheetahs
Thanks to oil flowing from the North (that is Chad) Cameroon is getting some amount of oil, without worrying about shipping and oil tankers. You think with this opportunity, the powers that are would take advantage and commission diesel generators to move them closer to the 21st century.
I do not want to come across as being mean or too hard, but what are those in authority doing with whatever proceeds and for that matter the resources that they have and are getting.
Cameroon seems to have some bauxite, and to mine and process it; Alucam (Canada) is using almost 50% of the electricity generated. You think with the high cost of aluminum (aluminium) on the world market, there would be investment in electricity. There are plans to build one or more hydro dams along the Sanage River. But folks, hydro takes more than 3 years to build; and I love it because it is as green as you can get when it comes to power generation, but until one is completed, you need, diesel generators. Sure, damming a locale results in displacement of animals and humanoids, but it GREEN and helps with irrigation.
I look at this landscape, and after more than 40 years of self-determination or Independence, I only see hippos, and no cheetahs
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Electricity Chad
This is one country with the potential to be self sufficient if those running the government choose to.
Chad has a large reserve of oil, which is slowly being tapped, but lack of refinery means the oil has to be exported unrefined through the joint pipeline with Cameroon, and finished products IMPORTED; folks this sound like Africa in the colonial days when raw material go to the masters in Europe at bargain basement prices and then finished products return at exorbitant prices.
Maybe I am being a little too harsh on Chad, after all they just started their oil business, and petroleum refineries are not built over night.
With regard to the topic at hand, electricity production is about 96 Megawatts, and just about all of it is consumed (88 Megawatts). With these kinds of numbers, you are tempted to say Chad is meeting her needs when it comes to electricity, wrong! A large segment of the population rely on Biomass, firewood and dried animal manure for energy because the electricity and refined oil products are expensive.
Considering how long Chad has been “Independent”, there should have been more development than what has been done.
Folks, I see more hippos in this environment than cheetahs.
Chad has a large reserve of oil, which is slowly being tapped, but lack of refinery means the oil has to be exported unrefined through the joint pipeline with Cameroon, and finished products IMPORTED; folks this sound like Africa in the colonial days when raw material go to the masters in Europe at bargain basement prices and then finished products return at exorbitant prices.
Maybe I am being a little too harsh on Chad, after all they just started their oil business, and petroleum refineries are not built over night.
With regard to the topic at hand, electricity production is about 96 Megawatts, and just about all of it is consumed (88 Megawatts). With these kinds of numbers, you are tempted to say Chad is meeting her needs when it comes to electricity, wrong! A large segment of the population rely on Biomass, firewood and dried animal manure for energy because the electricity and refined oil products are expensive.
Considering how long Chad has been “Independent”, there should have been more development than what has been done.
Folks, I see more hippos in this environment than cheetahs.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Electricity Nigeria part 1
I thought I will never make it to Nigeria, but I am finally here!.
First, for the record, Nigeria is the most populous nation on the continent of Africa, with more than 140 million people. Since I am only talking about electricity availability or lack of it, I am not going to broach the subject of literacy.
Nigeria is larger than Texas (in the USA).
Possible electricity generating capability (including installed, but not producing) is 6 Giga watts. Actual production is 2.6 Giga watts. Peak demand of the whole country is more than 30 Giga watts. FOLKS THAT IS A SHORT-FALL OF about 27 Giga watts.
With this facts stated, how do we analyze what we have. To begin, Nigeria is trying to do what is done in the USA, electricity would be produce and distributed by private companies. This is a noble idea, but with the country awash in extortion and bribery, how do you regulate electricity production by private companies across 10 States. How much bribe do you pay and to whom do you pay to get service across state lines.
The fact is electricity production of our present day is only about 10% of the actual demand. Blackouts are common across Nigeria.
The bulk of electricity production is from thermal reactors ( about 55%) while the rest is split between hydro and diesel.
So why is Nigeria in this mess? First, lack of maintenance. Second, equipment upgrade is foreign to those running the system, and for that matter, the government. With Nigeria drowning in oil, one will think new generators would be put in place about every year or 2 across the country.
Folks, this is supposed to be a blog, and not a thesis.
I would have to tackle this one at least one or two more times before I march on to Chad and Cameroon.The conclusion for now is, there is too much corruption across this landscape. It is exceptionally difficulty to do business at any level.
My personal take on Nigeria is that, there are more hippos stampeding on this landscape than there are cheetahs.
First, for the record, Nigeria is the most populous nation on the continent of Africa, with more than 140 million people. Since I am only talking about electricity availability or lack of it, I am not going to broach the subject of literacy.
Nigeria is larger than Texas (in the USA).
Possible electricity generating capability (including installed, but not producing) is 6 Giga watts. Actual production is 2.6 Giga watts. Peak demand of the whole country is more than 30 Giga watts. FOLKS THAT IS A SHORT-FALL OF about 27 Giga watts.
With this facts stated, how do we analyze what we have. To begin, Nigeria is trying to do what is done in the USA, electricity would be produce and distributed by private companies. This is a noble idea, but with the country awash in extortion and bribery, how do you regulate electricity production by private companies across 10 States. How much bribe do you pay and to whom do you pay to get service across state lines.
The fact is electricity production of our present day is only about 10% of the actual demand. Blackouts are common across Nigeria.
The bulk of electricity production is from thermal reactors ( about 55%) while the rest is split between hydro and diesel.
So why is Nigeria in this mess? First, lack of maintenance. Second, equipment upgrade is foreign to those running the system, and for that matter, the government. With Nigeria drowning in oil, one will think new generators would be put in place about every year or 2 across the country.
Folks, this is supposed to be a blog, and not a thesis.
I would have to tackle this one at least one or two more times before I march on to Chad and Cameroon.The conclusion for now is, there is too much corruption across this landscape. It is exceptionally difficulty to do business at any level.
My personal take on Nigeria is that, there are more hippos stampeding on this landscape than there are cheetahs.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Electricity Benin
My electricity tour of Africa has taken me to Benin, and sadly, I do NOT know and do not have much to say about Benin.
From the time of Souru Migan Apithy to this present day, Benin has been the country cousin of every other country on the continent. This country has never shaken the idea of living in an ancient kingdom out of their system. The military people have not helped the situation during the years they were there.
When it comes to electricity, Benin has to rely on her neighbours, and would continue to do so until Benin has something to offer somebody else. Benin has no coal for electricity, no mountains with rivers flowing for Hydro, and definitely no oil for diesel generators.
Electricity Benin does not exist so far as I can tell.
Folks, I have scratched and scratch, and so far I see nothing but hippos on this landscape.
From the time of Souru Migan Apithy to this present day, Benin has been the country cousin of every other country on the continent. This country has never shaken the idea of living in an ancient kingdom out of their system. The military people have not helped the situation during the years they were there.
When it comes to electricity, Benin has to rely on her neighbours, and would continue to do so until Benin has something to offer somebody else. Benin has no coal for electricity, no mountains with rivers flowing for Hydro, and definitely no oil for diesel generators.
Electricity Benin does not exist so far as I can tell.
Folks, I have scratched and scratch, and so far I see nothing but hippos on this landscape.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Electricity Niger
Niger just started build a hydro-dam knows as the Kandadji dam. The funds for this project is being underwritten by the Islamic Development Bank, to the tune of $236 million with an additional $700 million coming from the far East, and I mean the East from the great wall of China. What is sad is that, this project has been on the table for more than thirty (30) years.
One would ask what took so long? The answer is not so simple. First Niger is one of the poorest countries in Africa, if not the whole world. Sadly, Niger like most African countries is very rich in mineral reserves (namely Uranium). Before anybody asks why can’t Niger mine and sell its resources. The answer is very simple, for a poor nation like Niger, sacrificing today for a better tomorrow, is not done. It can bring on demonstrations and possible military revolutions, so the powers that are, dare not entertain such an idea; the stomach first!
There is oil in Niger, that is not being explored, sorry I said that, because the 800 pound gorilla in the ring is looking at that oil (the Chinese are interested, and they are not hiding their intention). They are willing to give interest FREE loans as the saying goes, “there are no free lunches”.
Niger is currently getting almost 90% of her electricity from big sister Nigeria, you can read anything into this relationship, but at least, Nigeria is being her sister’s keeper.Prime Minister Seini Oumarou is not looking malnurished to me, neither is President Mamadou Tandja. This landscape has a bunch of hippos running loose.
One would ask what took so long? The answer is not so simple. First Niger is one of the poorest countries in Africa, if not the whole world. Sadly, Niger like most African countries is very rich in mineral reserves (namely Uranium). Before anybody asks why can’t Niger mine and sell its resources. The answer is very simple, for a poor nation like Niger, sacrificing today for a better tomorrow, is not done. It can bring on demonstrations and possible military revolutions, so the powers that are, dare not entertain such an idea; the stomach first!
There is oil in Niger, that is not being explored, sorry I said that, because the 800 pound gorilla in the ring is looking at that oil (the Chinese are interested, and they are not hiding their intention). They are willing to give interest FREE loans as the saying goes, “there are no free lunches”.
Niger is currently getting almost 90% of her electricity from big sister Nigeria, you can read anything into this relationship, but at least, Nigeria is being her sister’s keeper.Prime Minister Seini Oumarou is not looking malnurished to me, neither is President Mamadou Tandja. This landscape has a bunch of hippos running loose.
Electricity Niger
Niger just started build a hydro-dam knows as the Kandadji dam. The funds for this project is being underwritten by the Islamic Development Bank, to the tune of $236 million with an additional $700 million coming form the far East, and I mean the East from the great wall of China. What is sad is that, this project has been on the table for more than thirty (30) years.
One would ask what took so long? The answer is not so simple. First Niger is one of the poorest countries in Africa, if not the whole world. Sadly, Niger like most African countries is very rich in mineral reserves (namely Uranium). Before anybody asks why can’t Niger mine and sell its resources. The answer is very simple, for a poor nation like Niger, sacrificing today for a better tomorrow, is not done. It can bring on demonstrations and possible military revolutions, so the powers that are, dare not entertain such an idea; the stomach first!
There is oil in Niger, that is not being explored, sorry I said that, because the 800 pound gorilla in the ring is looking at that oil (the Chinese are interested, and they are not hiding their intention). They are willing to give interest FREE loans as the saying goes, “there are no free lunches”.
Niger is currently getting almost 90% of her electricity from big brother Nigeria, you can read anything into this relationship, but at least, Nigeria is being her sister’s keeper.Prime Minister Seini Oumarou is not looking malnurished to me, neither is President Mamadou Tandja. This landscape has a bunch of hippos running loose.
One would ask what took so long? The answer is not so simple. First Niger is one of the poorest countries in Africa, if not the whole world. Sadly, Niger like most African countries is very rich in mineral reserves (namely Uranium). Before anybody asks why can’t Niger mine and sell its resources. The answer is very simple, for a poor nation like Niger, sacrificing today for a better tomorrow, is not done. It can bring on demonstrations and possible military revolutions, so the powers that are, dare not entertain such an idea; the stomach first!
There is oil in Niger, that is not being explored, sorry I said that, because the 800 pound gorilla in the ring is looking at that oil (the Chinese are interested, and they are not hiding their intention). They are willing to give interest FREE loans as the saying goes, “there are no free lunches”.
Niger is currently getting almost 90% of her electricity from big brother Nigeria, you can read anything into this relationship, but at least, Nigeria is being her sister’s keeper.Prime Minister Seini Oumarou is not looking malnurished to me, neither is President Mamadou Tandja. This landscape has a bunch of hippos running loose.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Electricity Togo
Here we are in Togo. First, Togo was under the crushing thumb of Etienne Gnassingbe Eyadema, he has been gone for three (3) years now. Togo is still struggling with electricity supply and distribution.
Between father and son, the Eyademas have been in charge of Togo for more than 40 years, and I mean continuously. Supposedly there is going to be a new power plant coming on board by year’s end 2009, time will tell.
Papa Eyadema died leaving the people of Togo in the dark. Baby Eyadema has now been in charge for three years. After the accusation of Ghana trying to sabotage his government, political stability seem to have take root, but the electricity situation is still in the “dark”. Togo is still getting some of her electricity form Ghana.
But wait a minute, Ghana is also being helped by Ivory Coast, so this is the case of begging from your poor neighbour. What a pitiful scenario! Okay, the volta lake is still kind of high in the 240’s, but not every community is getting electricity in Ghana, Valco is still not running at full capacity.
I have deviated a little, but if Togo is able to get their new plant online by the end of 2009, that will hopefully boost the electricity supply by almost 100 Megawatts of electricity. That would be a whale of a shot-in-the-arm and this would help not only Togo, but Ghana and to some extend Benin.
Regardless of what happens two years from now, hippos have been running loose in Togo for more than 38 years, Baby Eyadema seems to have turned 180 degrees from Papa Eyadema. If time proves the current leaders to be true to their words and claim (even a partial of 100 MW by end of 2009), then we have cheetahs running in Togo.
Folks lets give them a hand for taking the right road.
Between father and son, the Eyademas have been in charge of Togo for more than 40 years, and I mean continuously. Supposedly there is going to be a new power plant coming on board by year’s end 2009, time will tell.
Papa Eyadema died leaving the people of Togo in the dark. Baby Eyadema has now been in charge for three years. After the accusation of Ghana trying to sabotage his government, political stability seem to have take root, but the electricity situation is still in the “dark”. Togo is still getting some of her electricity form Ghana.
But wait a minute, Ghana is also being helped by Ivory Coast, so this is the case of begging from your poor neighbour. What a pitiful scenario! Okay, the volta lake is still kind of high in the 240’s, but not every community is getting electricity in Ghana, Valco is still not running at full capacity.
I have deviated a little, but if Togo is able to get their new plant online by the end of 2009, that will hopefully boost the electricity supply by almost 100 Megawatts of electricity. That would be a whale of a shot-in-the-arm and this would help not only Togo, but Ghana and to some extend Benin.
Regardless of what happens two years from now, hippos have been running loose in Togo for more than 38 years, Baby Eyadema seems to have turned 180 degrees from Papa Eyadema. If time proves the current leaders to be true to their words and claim (even a partial of 100 MW by end of 2009), then we have cheetahs running in Togo.
Folks lets give them a hand for taking the right road.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Burkina Electricity
I thought I am going to be smiling a little bit, because like Sierra Leone, I found a country that is self-sufficient in electricity. Boy, am I wrong.
The numbers are very hard to come up with after 2005. I have scratched and poked and looked under every rock or shall I say every generator I could look under, or look into, and still I found nothing to report for 2006, 2007 or 2008; but what I was able to come up with is nothing to write home about.
I know there should be something out there, because the hydro plant in Burkina has been running for at least two (2) years, but for some reason, the folks in Ouagadougou are keeping everything close to their chest.
For what it is worth, here are the numbers for Burkina 2005. Electricity production was 516 Megawatts, and the consumption was only 480 MW . On the surface, one will think that gives an excess of 36 Megawatts (an excess of 7%); which is very good, because the 36 excess is about 65% of the total amount produced in Bissau.
But wait a minute, there is a catch. Less than 20% of the total population of Burkina is being served with electricity, and this is mostly around Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Banfora, Bokin, and a few towns. This is one country where more than 60% of the population lives on less that 15% of the total landmass of Burkina Faso.
No electricity, implies no irrigation, farming is brute force. Mechanize farming is beyond the reach of most farmers.
From Maurice Yameogo to Thomas Sankara to Blaise Compaoré; folks I have seen nothing but a bunch of hippos running over this landscape.
The numbers are very hard to come up with after 2005. I have scratched and poked and looked under every rock or shall I say every generator I could look under, or look into, and still I found nothing to report for 2006, 2007 or 2008; but what I was able to come up with is nothing to write home about.
I know there should be something out there, because the hydro plant in Burkina has been running for at least two (2) years, but for some reason, the folks in Ouagadougou are keeping everything close to their chest.
For what it is worth, here are the numbers for Burkina 2005. Electricity production was 516 Megawatts, and the consumption was only 480 MW . On the surface, one will think that gives an excess of 36 Megawatts (an excess of 7%); which is very good, because the 36 excess is about 65% of the total amount produced in Bissau.
But wait a minute, there is a catch. Less than 20% of the total population of Burkina is being served with electricity, and this is mostly around Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Banfora, Bokin, and a few towns. This is one country where more than 60% of the population lives on less that 15% of the total landmass of Burkina Faso.
No electricity, implies no irrigation, farming is brute force. Mechanize farming is beyond the reach of most farmers.
From Maurice Yameogo to Thomas Sankara to Blaise Compaoré; folks I have seen nothing but a bunch of hippos running over this landscape.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Electricity Mali/Electricity Ivory Coast
While I was on my march through West Africa heading East, I should have stopped in Mali, however, I am compelled to combine Mali with Ivory Coast; because it looks like these 2 countries are hitched at the waist.
First, on the surface, it looks like Mali is producing enough electricity to me its needs, and then some, but then, you find Mali importing energy form Cote d’Ivoire. This is disturbing indeed. Do I detect gross lack of competency, or do I see people lining their own pockets.
You look at the numbers and it looks like there is enough electricity being generated in Mali, the caretakers of power distribution (Energie Du Mali) are talking about lack of transmission lines. I am sure there are proceeds from the supply of power to the general population, why can the transmission lines be extended. Our elders have a saying, or shall I say a proverb; how does one eat an elephant, "one Bite at a Time". With that in mind, how does one extend power supply from one place to the other, one Pole at a Time.
Here are a herd of Hippos if I ever saw one.
What about Cote d’Ivoire? Well, this is a mixed bag. Ivory Coast seem to be producing more electricity than what it needs, so it can afford to export the excess to Mali, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. But on the flip side, there is a large segment of Ivory Coast that is still in the dark not only at night, but also during the daytime.
Ivorian elite like to think of themselves as French, and at times they are more French than the French themselves. Gandhi said "Indians would NEVER be Independent until every citizen has housing and good sanitation". Well, no African country and for that matter Cote D’Ivoire will never be Independent, until every citizen gets education, stop chopping trees for fire wood, and stop using smoky kerosene lamps. From where I am sitting, I see nothing but Hippos running in the game reserve of Ivory Coast.
First, on the surface, it looks like Mali is producing enough electricity to me its needs, and then some, but then, you find Mali importing energy form Cote d’Ivoire. This is disturbing indeed. Do I detect gross lack of competency, or do I see people lining their own pockets.
You look at the numbers and it looks like there is enough electricity being generated in Mali, the caretakers of power distribution (Energie Du Mali) are talking about lack of transmission lines. I am sure there are proceeds from the supply of power to the general population, why can the transmission lines be extended. Our elders have a saying, or shall I say a proverb; how does one eat an elephant, "one Bite at a Time". With that in mind, how does one extend power supply from one place to the other, one Pole at a Time.
Here are a herd of Hippos if I ever saw one.
What about Cote d’Ivoire? Well, this is a mixed bag. Ivory Coast seem to be producing more electricity than what it needs, so it can afford to export the excess to Mali, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. But on the flip side, there is a large segment of Ivory Coast that is still in the dark not only at night, but also during the daytime.
Ivorian elite like to think of themselves as French, and at times they are more French than the French themselves. Gandhi said "Indians would NEVER be Independent until every citizen has housing and good sanitation". Well, no African country and for that matter Cote D’Ivoire will never be Independent, until every citizen gets education, stop chopping trees for fire wood, and stop using smoky kerosene lamps. From where I am sitting, I see nothing but Hippos running in the game reserve of Ivory Coast.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Electricity Liberia
Well, our journey for electricity in Africa has taken us to Liberia.
We know Liberia is just coming off an ugly civil war that pretty much wiped out everything in the country, this search for electricity on the continent is an equal opportunity, so there are no exemptions (maybe only when we come to North Africa).
For now lets look at what has been achieve in the year since Her Excellency Madame Johnson-Sirleaf took office. Part of the capital has seen electricity (namely the central part of the Capital Monrovia and Sinkor). We know a bunch of Ghanaian Electricity folks were sent to go and help, I just hope they have not gone there with the same mentality they had in Ghana (greasing the palm before getting what one rightfully is entitled to) after all, the poor folks left in Liberia are barely scratching a living, so they have nothing extra to grease palms with. Liberia is planning on using rubber wood chips to fuel some of their power plants. I know when rubber burns, it gives off a very pungent nauseating odour, but at least it is a start. The effort for this undertaking is a company called Buchanan Renewable Energies (BRE). BRE is planning on bringing more heavy equipment to help develop the infrastructure. Considering what has happened so far and compared to some of the Africa countries that have been trouble free for the last 20 years, and who are still living with rotating blackout and darkness, these folks need to be cheered for their efforts, lets give them a hand.
We know Liberia is just coming off an ugly civil war that pretty much wiped out everything in the country, this search for electricity on the continent is an equal opportunity, so there are no exemptions (maybe only when we come to North Africa).
For now lets look at what has been achieve in the year since Her Excellency Madame Johnson-Sirleaf took office. Part of the capital has seen electricity (namely the central part of the Capital Monrovia and Sinkor). We know a bunch of Ghanaian Electricity folks were sent to go and help, I just hope they have not gone there with the same mentality they had in Ghana (greasing the palm before getting what one rightfully is entitled to) after all, the poor folks left in Liberia are barely scratching a living, so they have nothing extra to grease palms with. Liberia is planning on using rubber wood chips to fuel some of their power plants. I know when rubber burns, it gives off a very pungent nauseating odour, but at least it is a start. The effort for this undertaking is a company called Buchanan Renewable Energies (BRE). BRE is planning on bringing more heavy equipment to help develop the infrastructure. Considering what has happened so far and compared to some of the Africa countries that have been trouble free for the last 20 years, and who are still living with rotating blackout and darkness, these folks need to be cheered for their efforts, lets give them a hand.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Electricity Sierra Leone
For a change, I just happened to pick an African country where the people in charge are acting like cheetahs instead of hippos. Everybody, lets give these leaders a hand. Considering where Sierra Leone has been, and where it is coming from, these crops of people seem to have their brains and hearts in the right place.
Even though Sierra Leone is not awash in electricity, at least they are not going through the blackouts like some of these countries on the continent where electricity supply is so unreliable that every potential business start up must have generator as key equipment. The civil war is over, reconstruction is underway, it is safe to run electrical appliances in the capital without the fear of on-again-off-again possible destruction of the appliance. Thank Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma. Please keep up the good work, we all hope you are not going to disappoint.
With the cost of goods that are electricity dependent either going down or stabilizing, do we see an upswing in the production of minerals like diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromium.
Again Mr. Koroma, thank you for the work you have done so far, and do not disappoint us.
Even though Sierra Leone is not awash in electricity, at least they are not going through the blackouts like some of these countries on the continent where electricity supply is so unreliable that every potential business start up must have generator as key equipment. The civil war is over, reconstruction is underway, it is safe to run electrical appliances in the capital without the fear of on-again-off-again possible destruction of the appliance. Thank Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma. Please keep up the good work, we all hope you are not going to disappoint.
With the cost of goods that are electricity dependent either going down or stabilizing, do we see an upswing in the production of minerals like diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromium.
Again Mr. Koroma, thank you for the work you have done so far, and do not disappoint us.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Electricity Guinea (Bissau and Conakry)
Electricity Guinea-Bissau
My electricity tour of Africa has taken me to Guinea-Bissau, referred here as Bissau. Bissau is one of the poorest environments on the earth. Lack of electricity makes travel through the capital very dangerous, especially at night, when the streets are dark and there is no lighting to speak of.
There is one thing that is plentiful in Bissau, Land mines. If you ever happened to be in Bissau, just be careful where you step.
Electricity Guinea (Conakry)
While I am talking about Guinea-Bissau referred here as Bissau, what about Guinea Conakry which I will refer to as plain Guinea.
If Ghana is rich in bauxite, Guinea is very rich. But wait a minute, it takes a large amount of electricity to melt and extract the alumina or the billet.
The world price of metals have become almost prohibitive, this include iron. Guess what, Guinea has one of the largest reserves of iron in the whole world. I hope nobody is going to talk about chemical extraction. Heaven forbid, where are we going to dump the waste from the chemical extraction, not in my back yard! So the only other alternative is electrical. But like Ghana, Guinea is suffering from the same sickness, mismanagement, vanishing receipts, not enough electricity for the masses, much less for heavy industry like smelting. Here are hippos running amuck, do I see any cheetahs in this particular game reserve? Lets sacrifice today, so those coming after us can live better tomorrow.
My electricity tour of Africa has taken me to Guinea-Bissau, referred here as Bissau. Bissau is one of the poorest environments on the earth. Lack of electricity makes travel through the capital very dangerous, especially at night, when the streets are dark and there is no lighting to speak of.
There is one thing that is plentiful in Bissau, Land mines. If you ever happened to be in Bissau, just be careful where you step.
Electricity Guinea (Conakry)
While I am talking about Guinea-Bissau referred here as Bissau, what about Guinea Conakry which I will refer to as plain Guinea.
If Ghana is rich in bauxite, Guinea is very rich. But wait a minute, it takes a large amount of electricity to melt and extract the alumina or the billet.
The world price of metals have become almost prohibitive, this include iron. Guess what, Guinea has one of the largest reserves of iron in the whole world. I hope nobody is going to talk about chemical extraction. Heaven forbid, where are we going to dump the waste from the chemical extraction, not in my back yard! So the only other alternative is electrical. But like Ghana, Guinea is suffering from the same sickness, mismanagement, vanishing receipts, not enough electricity for the masses, much less for heavy industry like smelting. Here are hippos running amuck, do I see any cheetahs in this particular game reserve? Lets sacrifice today, so those coming after us can live better tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Gambia, Electricity, and Blackout
Gambia, Electricity and Blackout
Gambia thinks it only need to produce about 36.5 MW for the whole country to be electrified. That should not be a problem, considering the size of the country. But here we are after more than forty years of independence; Gambia is going through electricity blackouts.
The question is WHY?
Dauda Jawara will say he was not given the chance to improve on what he inherited from Britain, but he was in power for almost 30 years (an African hippo), until a bunch of revolutionary misguided cadre of soldiers overthrew him. What has happened since? Nobody knows.
Now we have a new president in Yayah Jammeh (been in power since 1994), he is going through the electricity blackouts, he has proven himself a hippo, the money that should be going into electrification of the country of Gambia, but has NOT is weighing him down, another hippo of a head of state. He has admitted that the electricity problem has caused the textile industry not to expand. So the job that was promised the masses or shall I say the guppies, have not materialized.
Folks, if you do not feed your guppies, they will not grow bigger to feed the herring, which will not grow bigger to feed the sharks.
Mr. Jammeh was dancing with the guppies last June to celebrate the inauguration of a new 6.5 MW generator. Do I see a cheetah in the making?
Only time will tell.Mr. Yayah Jammeh, please stop being a hippo, and become a cheetah.
Gambia thinks it only need to produce about 36.5 MW for the whole country to be electrified. That should not be a problem, considering the size of the country. But here we are after more than forty years of independence; Gambia is going through electricity blackouts.
The question is WHY?
Dauda Jawara will say he was not given the chance to improve on what he inherited from Britain, but he was in power for almost 30 years (an African hippo), until a bunch of revolutionary misguided cadre of soldiers overthrew him. What has happened since? Nobody knows.
Now we have a new president in Yayah Jammeh (been in power since 1994), he is going through the electricity blackouts, he has proven himself a hippo, the money that should be going into electrification of the country of Gambia, but has NOT is weighing him down, another hippo of a head of state. He has admitted that the electricity problem has caused the textile industry not to expand. So the job that was promised the masses or shall I say the guppies, have not materialized.
Folks, if you do not feed your guppies, they will not grow bigger to feed the herring, which will not grow bigger to feed the sharks.
Mr. Jammeh was dancing with the guppies last June to celebrate the inauguration of a new 6.5 MW generator. Do I see a cheetah in the making?
Only time will tell.Mr. Yayah Jammeh, please stop being a hippo, and become a cheetah.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Cash infusion for Senegal Electricity
The World Bank just gave Senegal a cash infusion of 80 million to help with electricity production, development, and services.
This funding is to help with the restoration of electricity through 2009.
Since I am very pessimistic where funding like this are made, I wonder how much would really go into electrical projects, and how much would go into pockets of the runners of the country?
Virtually every country on the continent of Africa is having problem with electricity, yet aid and lines of credit are being extended to African countries. The G-8 conference just ended in Japan, with promises to help the beggars of the world.
The details of aid have not come to light, but based on past results, I would rather have the donor nations send their own people to oversee the distribution. At least with regard to USA, any citizen who bribes a foreign official, can be prosecuted in the USA if such bribery comes to light, so would any embezzlement. With regard to African leadership, perpetrators get pats on the back.
This funding is to help with the restoration of electricity through 2009.
Since I am very pessimistic where funding like this are made, I wonder how much would really go into electrical projects, and how much would go into pockets of the runners of the country?
Virtually every country on the continent of Africa is having problem with electricity, yet aid and lines of credit are being extended to African countries. The G-8 conference just ended in Japan, with promises to help the beggars of the world.
The details of aid have not come to light, but based on past results, I would rather have the donor nations send their own people to oversee the distribution. At least with regard to USA, any citizen who bribes a foreign official, can be prosecuted in the USA if such bribery comes to light, so would any embezzlement. With regard to African leadership, perpetrators get pats on the back.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Blackout, the blind following the blind
In the far South of the continent, there is the Republic of South Africa. South Africa produces one of the “Dirtiest” electricity in the whole world (from coal), yet South Africa is rationing electricity. Please do NOT tell me they did not see it coming. They have Ghana as an example to learn from. Sure, they are more advance than Ghana, but presently, they are where Ghana was a year ago. Is that stupid or dumb? Is this the case of the blind following the blind?
It is surprising that a country like Botswana with all her Diamond and Gold, have to depend on South Africa for more that 50% of her electricity. Why can’t Botswana build her own coal-fired electricity plant?
Lets look at Uganda. Idi Amin is gone, Obote is gone. There is a new guard, and the new guard is doing something positive. Heavy fuel plant facility is in the works. A hydro “green” electric plant is under construction at Bujagali and another one at Karuma.
They sure deserve a “pat” on the back.
Sure every politician steals some money or takes bribes, in some cases (and no names, cannot afford a lawsuit), they steal more and hide them in far away Switzerland than they spend on the masses (these Africans really believe in the application of the 80-20 rule).
There is a new crop of Ugandan leadership that seem to care some about the little guyLet me give them credit where credit is due.
Then we have the new gurd in the Republic of Congo have come to recognized what it would take to move into the 21st century. Lets give them a pat on the back for the work they are doing in Grand Inga. With some luck they will be able to light up half of the continent.
Lets not forget, the money was here when we came, and it will be here when we check out and go to face our Maker. Hording the loot for you alone in a Swiss number account, will do nobody any good when you check out, except the Swiss government, who gets to keep the unclaimed loot
It is surprising that a country like Botswana with all her Diamond and Gold, have to depend on South Africa for more that 50% of her electricity. Why can’t Botswana build her own coal-fired electricity plant?
Lets look at Uganda. Idi Amin is gone, Obote is gone. There is a new guard, and the new guard is doing something positive. Heavy fuel plant facility is in the works. A hydro “green” electric plant is under construction at Bujagali and another one at Karuma.
They sure deserve a “pat” on the back.
Sure every politician steals some money or takes bribes, in some cases (and no names, cannot afford a lawsuit), they steal more and hide them in far away Switzerland than they spend on the masses (these Africans really believe in the application of the 80-20 rule).
There is a new crop of Ugandan leadership that seem to care some about the little guyLet me give them credit where credit is due.
Then we have the new gurd in the Republic of Congo have come to recognized what it would take to move into the 21st century. Lets give them a pat on the back for the work they are doing in Grand Inga. With some luck they will be able to light up half of the continent.
Lets not forget, the money was here when we came, and it will be here when we check out and go to face our Maker. Hording the loot for you alone in a Swiss number account, will do nobody any good when you check out, except the Swiss government, who gets to keep the unclaimed loot
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Africa's need for Electricity
I stopped short of pointing out some relevant issues. Here we go.
The West has a way of ganging up on any small fish (guppy) that tries to play in their league or compete against them, the guppy gets crushed.
Ghana can better serve herself by not selling aluminum as a piglet billet or ingot, but rather finished products. The West and for that matter China wants and needs Ghana’s aluminum, Ghana should set up plants to make aluminum products, and have the West or whomever, buy the finished goods. That means more jobs for Ghanaians down the line.
China is being very good and generous to Ghana; China has given Ghana interest “FREE” loan to build another “green” electricity plant in the Northwestern part of the country at Bui.
Why would China do something like that (there are no free lunches)?
Could it be they want to get access to Ghana’s aluminum, manganese, gold, diamond, and other raw materials?
Before the rotating blackouts started in Ghana, and up to the point where Valco turned off its lights, I did not see the Chinese offering to give Ghana money to buy generators.
Why is it that China is only buying raw material from Ghana, and selling finished goods? Why are Chinese coming to Ghana in droves, and staying, but they are NOT letting Ghanaians, and for that matter, Africans stay a day past their visa dates
The West has a way of ganging up on any small fish (guppy) that tries to play in their league or compete against them, the guppy gets crushed.
Ghana can better serve herself by not selling aluminum as a piglet billet or ingot, but rather finished products. The West and for that matter China wants and needs Ghana’s aluminum, Ghana should set up plants to make aluminum products, and have the West or whomever, buy the finished goods. That means more jobs for Ghanaians down the line.
China is being very good and generous to Ghana; China has given Ghana interest “FREE” loan to build another “green” electricity plant in the Northwestern part of the country at Bui.
Why would China do something like that (there are no free lunches)?
Could it be they want to get access to Ghana’s aluminum, manganese, gold, diamond, and other raw materials?
Before the rotating blackouts started in Ghana, and up to the point where Valco turned off its lights, I did not see the Chinese offering to give Ghana money to buy generators.
Why is it that China is only buying raw material from Ghana, and selling finished goods? Why are Chinese coming to Ghana in droves, and staying, but they are NOT letting Ghanaians, and for that matter, Africans stay a day past their visa dates
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Electricity Africa
It is very sad that as Africans, we do not learn from the mistakes or demise of other African countries.
For most part of 2005, 2006, 2007, Ghana was having problem with electricity.
Ghana’s electricity is very “green”; as a matter of fact the “greenest” after wind generated electricity, hydro!
The only problem is that, water is a very tricky business. Both water and wind are dependent on Nature, but water more so than wind.
The water situation in Ghana became so acute that Valco (probably the only industry) that produces something that majority of the world needs, has to shut down.
One can only buy so many basket, carvings and leather goods, and then he is awash in it, and would not buy anymore for a while. But aluminum or aluminium that is a different item. When VALCO went off line, the world market price of aluminum went up more than 10%. Can you imagine THAT! Little Ghana can have an effect on the world price of a commodity overnight, WOW!
Ghanaians have quite an appetite for electronic goods, and Ghana does NOT produce any electronic gadget of her own, everything has to be imported.
Remember, Valco is down, and there is hardly any industry that brings foreign exchange with which Ghana can barter for the electronic goods. Granted, Ghana makes textiles, plastic chairs, plastic plates, and a few plastic cups to be sold to her neighbors, who are just as poor and have their own appetite for electronic goods.
Now it is the Republic of South Africa that is rationing electricity
For most part of 2005, 2006, 2007, Ghana was having problem with electricity.
Ghana’s electricity is very “green”; as a matter of fact the “greenest” after wind generated electricity, hydro!
The only problem is that, water is a very tricky business. Both water and wind are dependent on Nature, but water more so than wind.
The water situation in Ghana became so acute that Valco (probably the only industry) that produces something that majority of the world needs, has to shut down.
One can only buy so many basket, carvings and leather goods, and then he is awash in it, and would not buy anymore for a while. But aluminum or aluminium that is a different item. When VALCO went off line, the world market price of aluminum went up more than 10%. Can you imagine THAT! Little Ghana can have an effect on the world price of a commodity overnight, WOW!
Ghanaians have quite an appetite for electronic goods, and Ghana does NOT produce any electronic gadget of her own, everything has to be imported.
Remember, Valco is down, and there is hardly any industry that brings foreign exchange with which Ghana can barter for the electronic goods. Granted, Ghana makes textiles, plastic chairs, plastic plates, and a few plastic cups to be sold to her neighbors, who are just as poor and have their own appetite for electronic goods.
Now it is the Republic of South Africa that is rationing electricity
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