NUEE calls for review of the privatization of the power sector in Nigeria

The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently review the privatization of the electricity sector in order to ensure stable power supply in the country.
The union chastised the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, for wanting to increase electric bill despite having unstable power supply.


President Goodluck Jonathan, had in 2013, privatised and handed over the assets of the defunct Power Holding Companies of Nigeria, PHCN, to new investors now known as Distribution Companies, DISCOs and Generation Companies, GENCOs.

At its 5th Quadrennial and 10th National Delegates Conference, taking place in Lafia, President of the union, Mr. Mansur Musa, said that since the privatization, the new investors in the power sector haven't added any improvement to the sector, but rather had been milking the citizenry dry. He said:

“While the country still groans in darkness, lack of meters, dearth in power infrastructure and high tariff, the investors smile to the banks at the expense of the workers who have little or nothing to show for their hard work. “Apart from the investment government made in the sector prior to privatization, investors do not consider it expedient to invest on the growth and development of Electric Power in the country. We strongly advocate for a review of the privatization exercise.”


Punch