…Declare Electricity Supply In Nigeria Has Failed
By Chidi Ugwu
As frustrations continue to mount over the prevailing harsh economy, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) on Tuesday called for a review of unjust electricity tariffs.
The demand was contained in a communique issued after a two-day workshop on promoting transparency and decent work in supply chains in electricity, water and waste services in sub-sahara Africa, which held in Abuja, with support from DGB Bildungs Werk and Public Services International.
The Trade Unions also called for the introduction of Public-Public Partnerships to ensure access to essential services and protect workers’ rights, at the workshop which generally focused on enhancing transparency and decent work in Sub-Saharan Africa’s supply chains for electricity, water, and waste services.
The groups said that the Nigerian government deceived Nigerians about privatisation gains.
AUPCTRE National President, Comrade Benjamin Anthony said government deceived the union and Nigerians about privatization gains.
“They told us that privatization will enable households to have efficient electricity, new stations and substations including transformer, but since 2013, despite humongous money, the sector is getting worst.
“We do not see the need to pump money after privatization”.
“Also, they bring management that don’t know anything about the sector and they destroyed it.
They only use it to collect loan from IMF and World Bank”.
He urged members to contribute their quota and effect change wherever they find themselves.
“The change begins with us. We must do our best as unionists and be positive that things will be better.
“Let’s continue to pray that God will make our country better.“
Also speaking, Comrade Abiodun Bakare, PSI-DGB National Coordinator, urged the members to take advantage of the social media space and advocate for change in the sectors.
“Our trade union organization do not have websites. We need to have active websites so as to move from traditional way of communication and key in to the changes that are before us.
“We need to be deliberate in amplifying our positions so that people will know what we stand for.”
At the end of the two day’s engagements, a communique capturing the worries, challenges and advocacies of members was issued by the Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, Philip Jakpor.
Part of the communique which was jointly signed by Comrade Benjamin Anthony, the National President, AUPCTRE, and Comrade Igwebike Dominic, the Acting General Secretary, NUEE reads: “After extensive deliberations including voting, the following observations were made:
“The transfer of ownership of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA)/Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to private entities which the Federal Government said would improve efficiency, attract investments and enhance the overall electricity supply in Nigeria has failed.
“There is increase in electricity tariffs and decrease in power supply resulting to darkness in most homes.
“The unending collapse of the National grid portends danger to the National economy and increases insecurity which affects businesses in Nigeria.
“The clandestine attempts to privatize water in Nigeria through various MOUs and Agreements at National and State levels are extremely worrisome.
“Entrenchment of casualization and lay off of workers in Government establishments already privatized and systematic introduction of divisive policies to weaken the unity of workers and their opposition to privatization.
“Growing abdication of responsibility by state governments who are now adopting Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“Poor waste management across the country.Flowing from the above observations, participants resolved as follows:A total reversal of the electricity sector privatization.
“Review of the unjust tariff on electricity including the oppressive bands structure introduced by the current administration in the most recent tariff hike.
“An overhaul of the National grid to upgrade it and protection of electricity infrastructure across the country from vandals who work in collusion with unscrupulous agents of the state intent on milking the country through contracts for repair works.
“A total stoppage to the planned privatization of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). A halt to the planned privatization of water through the so-called PPPs.
“We demand instead, the introduction of Public-Public-Partnerships which have proven to be effective in addressing challenges in the public sector globally.
“Enshrining of the right to water in the Nigerian Constitution to guarantee universal access by all Nigerians Introduction of realistic and sustainable public funding structure for water including Water Trust. Reabsorption of workers unjustly laid off to pave way for privatization in the electricity and water sectors and payment of all emoluments due to them.
“We demand also, the unconditional reinstatement of the 391 disengaged staff of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) disengaged in April 2024.
“Probe of all the water contracts awarded at Federal and State levels and a blacklisting of identified contractors who have failed to deliver or diverted the monies.
“Putting in place policies and initiatives that breed harmony among workers including increased welfare packages. Putting in place effective policies and implementation for waste management”.
