The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has vehemently rebuked recent assertions by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that 150 million Nigerians enjoy “adequate electricity” with a mere 5,500 megawatts of power. The NLC’s response, characterized by strong disapproval and accusations of delusion and insensitivity, highlights the stark disconnect between the government’s portrayal of the power situation and the lived reality of Nigerian citizens who grapple with persistent power outages. The NLC’s statement, issued by President Joe Ajaero, condemned the Minister’s claim as a “joke taken too far,” a blatant insult to the intelligence and suffering of Nigerians enduring daily power struggles. The union emphasized the absurdity of the claim, juxtaposing it against the crippling reality of millions of Nigerians who spend their nights in darkness and their days battling power failures. The NLC’s condemnation is not just a critique of the Minister’s statement; it is an indictment of a power sector riddled with systemic failures and perceived corruption.
The NLC’s critique extends beyond the Minister’s immediate pronouncements to address the broader issues plaguing Nigeria’s power sector. The union points to international benchmarks, asserting that a nation of Nigeria’s population requires a minimum of 150,000 megawatts – a figure drastically higher than the current output. This disparity underscores the inadequacy of the existing power infrastructure and distribution networks, leaving millions without reliable access to electricity. The union also criticizes the 2013 privatization of the power sector, labeling it a “grand betrayal” that effectively transferred national assets into private hands for a paltry sum of N400 billion without yielding any tangible improvements in service delivery. The NLC argues that the privatization, far from being a reform, has become a platform for “organized profiteering,” with private companies, namely the Distribution Companies (Discos) and Generation Companies (Gencos), receiving over N4 trillion in subsidies while failing to provide consistent power supply.
The NLC’s condemnation focuses on the perceived mismanagement and inequities within the privatized power sector. The union highlights the irony of the Discos and Gencos receiving substantial subsidies while providing subpar service, contrasting this with the struggles of ordinary Nigerians who bear the brunt of inconsistent power supply and escalating tariffs. This disparity underscores the NLC’s contention that the privatization model has failed to deliver on its promises of improved service and affordability. The union further questions the government’s intention to sell the remaining public power asset, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), following the perceived failures of the Discos and Gencos. This proposed sale is seen not as a reformative measure but as a further act of “theft in a suit,” deepening the exploitation of national resources. The NLC’s critique reveals a deep distrust of the government’s handling of the power sector, highlighting the perceived prioritization of private profit over public welfare.
The NLC’s critique extends to the recent electricity tariff hikes implemented under the stratified “Band A, B, C” system. This system, according to the NLC, is a mechanism for “legalized exploitation,” forcing millions of Nigerians to choose between basic necessities like food and paying exorbitant power bills. The union draws a sharp contrast between the plight of ordinary citizens struggling to afford electricity and the alleged enrichment of top regulators and “power barons” within the sector. This perceived inequity fuels the NLC’s accusations of corruption and mismanagement, further solidifying their opposition to the current structure and policies governing the power sector. The union identifies a fundamental disconnect between the rhetoric of reform and the lived reality of Nigerians, who continue to face unreliable power supply and increasing costs.
The NLC’s statement concludes with a strong commitment to expose what they term “a festering cartel of lies” within the power sector. This pledge underscores the union’s determination to hold those responsible for the sector’s failures accountable and to advocate for the rights and welfare of Nigerian citizens. The NLC vows to resist any further moves that threaten the well-being of Nigerians, particularly in the crucial area of power supply. Their concluding message to the Minister of Power is a direct and powerful call for action: “Nigerians want power in their homes, not power plays on television. Let there be light, not lies.” This statement encapsulates the NLC’s core demands – tangible improvements in power supply, transparency in the sector’s operations, and an end to the perceived exploitation of Nigerian citizens.
The NLC’s response to the Minister’s statement is not merely a critique of a single claim but a broader indictment of the Nigerian power sector’s systemic failures. The union’s strong condemnation of the current state of affairs reflects the deep frustration and disillusionment of Nigerians grappling with persistent power outages and escalating costs. The NLC’s call for transparency, accountability, and genuine reform underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift in the management of the power sector, one that prioritizes the needs and welfare of Nigerian citizens over private profit and political maneuvering. The union’s resolute stance signifies a continued struggle for a reliable and affordable power supply, a fundamental right that remains elusive for many Nigerians.
