The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed outrage over the Ministry of Power’s proposal to allocate N8 billion for an electricity bill sensitisation campaign, despite the ongoing power sector crisis marked by frequent grid collapses and crippling debts.
In a statement issued today, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, slammed the proposal as a waste of public funds, arguing that it distracts from more urgent issues in the power sector. “It is an insult to Nigerians already burdened with constant power outages and exorbitant tariffs to propose billions for sensitizing people on paying bills,” Ajaero said.
The proposal, made by Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu during his recent budget defense in the National Assembly, has sparked fierce criticism. With contractors in the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) owed over N200 billion and the national grid collapsing repeatedly, many view the sensitisation effort as a misplaced priority.
“The focus should be on fixing the power grid and addressing the systemic failures in the sector,” Ajaero added. “Instead, the government is proposing a frivolous campaign while the sector crumbles under mismanagement.”
The NLC further criticised the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for its failure to protect consumers, citing its silence over unethical practices in the privatised power distribution companies.
The labour Congress called on the National Assembly to reject the N8 billion allocation and demand a full audit of the power sector to uncover potential corruption. Without meaningful reforms, the NLC warned, the collapse of Nigeria’s power sector is inevitable.
