NLC expresses outrage over FG’s proposed N8bn electricity sensitisation bill payment

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed outrage over the Federal Government’s proposal to allocate a staggering N8 billion for “sensitisation on electricity bill payment,” describing the move as wasteful, insensitive, and an outright mockery of Nigerians’ struggles.

Contained in a press release signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the Congress decried the state of the nation’s power sector and the “perceived incompetence” of its leadership. According to Ajaero, the power sector is “at the brink of collapse,” plagued by incessant grid failures, financial mismanagement, and a glaring lack of accountability.

“Asking for N8 billion to teach us how to pay bills to DISCOs owned by private entities is entirely questionable,” Ajaero stated. “It speaks to the deeper worries of Nigerians as to the distinction between those in government and those who bought the electricity companies.”

The proposed budget allocation, revealed during the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu’s defence at the National Assembly, comes at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with crushing poverty, skyrocketing electricity tariffs, and frequent blackouts. Ajaero lambasted the insensitivity of prioritising such frivolities over fixing the constant grid collapses that have plunged the nation into darkness.

“This ludicrous proposal epitomises the depth of profligacy, wastefulness, and corruption that has permeated governance in Nigeria,” Ajaero continued. “It is unimaginable that what matters to Nigerians now is being ‘sensitised’ on why they should pay more for electricity in the midst of constant grid failures and overwhelming darkness.”

Under the current administration, the national power grid has collapsed more times than all previous administrations combined, further underscoring the deteriorating state of the sector. Ajaero pointed out that this is an admission of failure by the leadership of the power ministry.

“The now-embarrassing constant grid collapse could have been averted if the Ministry of Power was manned by competent officials. Instead, we are told by the Minister that these collapses will continue, as though this has always been the norm,” he said.

Critics have also questioned the rationale behind allocating N8 billion to educate citizens on bill payments when contractors at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are owed over N200 billion, hindering critical infrastructure projects.

Ajaero did not mince words, calling for the National Assembly to remove the “disgraceful allocation” from the budget. He demanded a comprehensive audit of the entire power sector budget to uncover potential avenues for corruption and financial recklessness.

“Sensitisation campaigns should not cost a fraction of this amount, especially in a country where schools are underfunded, hospitals lack basic equipment, and infrastructure is crumbling,” Ajaero emphasised.

The statement also highlighted NERC’s alleged complicity in unethical practices, including its reported silence when a DISCO’s managing director was sacked for exposing corruption.

“Rather than reward and protect a whistleblower, NERC colluded to punish and sack the official,” Ajaero revealed. “This is an organisation supposed to ensure transparency, yet it has chosen to do the contrary.”

The NLC president went on to call on the National Assembly to fulfil its constitutional duty as the custodian of the people’s interests by removing wasteful allocations and ensuring the budget serves national development.

He also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rein in the excesses of the Ministry of Power and NERC, stressing that their mismanagement risks plunging the country into deeper energy crises.

“If the leadership of the power sector would reduce the number of times they spend at the National Assembly defending these absurdities, they might have more time to focus on their job and reduce the embarrassing situation in the sector,” Ajaero remarked.

Ajaero ended with a stern warning: failure to address the incompetence and financial recklessness in the power sector will further erode public confidence in government institutions and worsen Nigeria’s socio-economic woes.

“We will not stand idly by while public funds are wasted in the name of governance. The time for accountability is now.”

As Nigerians await the National Assembly’s response to this contentious allocation, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on the power sector, its failures, and the urgent need for reform.

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