NLC blasts power ministry over N8bn sensitization budget amid grid failures

By Ukpono Ukpong

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a scathing indictment of the Ministry of Power and the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), decrying what it describes as gross incompetence, wastefulness, and corruption in the sector.

The statement, signed by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, comes in the wake of the Ministry’s proposal for an N8 billion budget allocation to sensitize Nigerians on paying electricity bills.

The NLC expressed outrage at the frequency of national grid failures, describing it as a sign of systemic failure under the current leadership.

Highlighting discrepancies in the sector’s priorities, the statement revealed that contractors at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are owed over N200 billion, even as the Ministry seeks billions for a sensitization campaign.

READ ALSO: Kalu pledges support for initiatives to boost…

“The Power sector in Nigeria is at the brink of collapse as the helmsmen have repeatedly shown gross incompetence. It is a sector where the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) despite the enormous power invested on it by the Electricity act of 2023 has continuously demonstrated incapacity to regulate or outrightly refused to discharge its responsibilities to electricity consumers in Nigeria while the Minister in charge is enamored with seeking about N8billion (Eight Billion Naira) to teach Nigerians how to pay electricity bill.

“It is therefore, not surprising that power grid collapse is now a constant as it has continued to succumb to greed and crass incompetence.

“Whereas the Minister seeks N8billion (Eight Billion Naira) to educate us, contractors in the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) who help in delivering capacity are owed over N200 billion (Two Hundred Billion Naira). If not for the intervention of the Unions in the sector in December, 2024, the procurement Committee would have added to this burden by sitting down to award more contracts. We are truly surprised at where the priorities of the leadership of the sector lay.

“If the Ministry of Power is manned by competent officials, the now embarrassing constant grid collapse would have been averted instead of the worrying statement by the Minister that this will continue as if this has always been the norm. We believe that this is a clear admission of incapacity and failure by the Ministry and we wonder why they would not do the honourable thing by resigning.”

The NLC also criticized NERC for allegedly colluding with a distribution company (DISCO) to dismiss its Managing Director for whistleblowing.

“Whistleblowing as far as NERC is concerned has become an offense,” the statement said.

“Instead of protecting transparency, NERC has shown it is unprepared to discharge its mandate, which explains the shambles in the sector.”

Ajaero called the proposed N8 billion allocation for “sensitization” an insult to struggling Nigerians. “At a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with crushing poverty, runaway inflation, and a failing economy, it is both insulting and tragic that our leaders find it appropriate to squander public funds on such frivolities,” the statement declared.

The NLC questioned the logic of sensitizing Nigerians on paying electricity bills when they already face exorbitant tariffs amid unreliable power supply. “It is laughable to believe that what is important to Nigerians is to be sensitized on why they should pay more for electricity in the midst of constant grid failure and overwhelming darkness,” the statement read.

The Congress accused the government of prioritizing the interests of private DISCOs over public welfare. “Asking for N8 billion to teach us how to pay bills to DISCOs owned by private entities is entirely questionable,” Ajaero said, demanding an account of dividends received by the government since the privatization of the sector 12 years ago.

The NLC urged the National Assembly to reject the allocation and conduct a comprehensive audit of the power sector budget.

“The legislature must ensure that the national budget does not become a conduit for looting our collective resources,” the statement emphasized.

The Congress also criticized the allocation in light of underfunded schools, poorly equipped hospitals, and crumbling infrastructure.

“Sensitization campaigns should not cost a fraction of this amount,” Ajaero said, describing the proposal as “a slap in the face of every hardworking Nigerian struggling to make ends meet.”

The NLC warned that the power sector’s collapse could have dire consequences for the nation and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently.

“Unless the incompetence and wastefulness in the Ministry of Power and NERC are addressed, the nation’s power sector may collapse completely,” the statement cautioned.

Ajaero also called on the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to prioritize delivering stable electricity rather than pursuing wasteful projects.

“The Minister should be more concerned about granting access to constant electricity for majority of Nigerians rather than promoting this disturbing fancy of his,” the statement said.

The NLC vowed to hold the government accountable for financial mismanagement in the power sector.

“We will not stand idly by while public funds are wasted in the name of governance,” Ajaero declared, adding that the Congress would mobilize against any misuse of the budget.

Furthermore, the NLC warned that failure to address these issues would further erode public confidence in government institutions.

“This is another glaring reminder of why Nigeria remains in its current state of economic stagnation,” the statement concluded, pledging to monitor developments in the sector closely.