NLC also advised the government to halt the use of public funds to subsidize privatised electricity companies.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday demanded the conduct of a thorough audit of power sector infrastructure and reassessment of the current privatisation framework from the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
NLC made the call in a statement issued by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, while reacting to the latest national grid collapse that left many Nigerians in darkness.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) reported that the grid went down at 11:20 a.m. after a generating company tripped.
At the onset of the collapse, Ibadan Disco was left with just 20MW, while
the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Ikeja Electric, and Kano Disco notified their customers of extensive outages across their networks.
However, by 8:21 p.m, supply rose to 1,583MW, with Abuja Disco allocated 243MW, Ikeja 239MW, and Eko 204MW respectively.
Speaking about the development, the NLC President urged the Nigerian government to halt the use of public funds to subsidize privatised electricity companies.
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He further counselled the federal government to channel the trillions already spent on the sector into public-driven investments in power generation and transmission infrastructure.
Ajaero said, “Since the government has N4 trillion to invest in the sector, we suggest that the funds must be redirected towards a public-led initiative to build new generation capacity and revitalise the transmission infrastructure instead of handing it over to the generation companies (Gencos) and distribution companies (Discos).
“This is not a plea; it is a declaration of intent. The light must come on, by any means necessary.
“Once again, we call for a comprehensive public audit of the entire power sector.
“We call for a fundamental review of the privatisation model itself, with a view to reviving this critical sector. This has become an imperative.”
The NLC further said Nigerians will no longer tolerate “man-made” blackouts or accept excuses for what it described as a “deliberate failure” by the government.
