By Eberechi Obinagwam
The President, United Labour Congress (ULC) Joe Ajaero, has predicted that in the next four years, the power sector in Nigeria would collapse if the Nigerian government refused to review its private sector.
This is coming on the heels of failed promises in the power sector.
Ajaero spoke at the 6th Quadrennial and 11th National Delegates conference of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in Lagos on Thursday.
He said that all the federal government financed DisCos and GenCos were failing Nigerians.
He said that the foreign investors in the power sector lied to Nigerians that it was for the interest of the country, but six years down the line, according to him, “No dollar came into the country.”
His words: “Six years down the line no power line has been added. No megawatt has been built. Instead, they are only telling us that they want to increase their tarrif.
“How can you pay for what is not available? Every price has a measure, garri has a cup as measure. Where is the meter for measure?
They have been doing that three times since after privatization. They have paid them over a trillion naira and they are still asking for more. If there was no power in Nigeria, the $16 billion they paid them, Nigerians would have achieved a megawatt.”
Ajaero also disclosed that the privatization in power sector was not meant to succeed; but to fail. “It was more of a cliche and context for grand corruption as it has gone unchecked for two decades,” he said.
He, however, urged the power minister to address Nigerians of the situation in power, and what to expect else the union may declare a state of emergency.
He explained that the crisis Nigerians saw last week was a result of not even reading correspondences, but not responding to them.
“Since the minister was appointed, we have written several memos to them but they are not acknowledging them. If you were in our shoes, you will get frustrated.
“Already, Nigerians have been made to believe that NEPA/ PHCN is unable to work efficiently because of the incompetence and corruption of its staff, which has become a major myth.” Also, the union expressed worry over the state of insecurity in the country and appealed to the federal and state governments and all security agencies to stand up to the challenge.