In Kano on Thursday, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) criticized the privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector, labeling it a failed policy. NUEE’s North West Zonal Organising Secretary, Ayuba Barde, highlighted that Nigerians are now paying for unreliable services, as private companies prioritize profits over effective service delivery.
Barde argued that the privatisation process favored government insiders, resulting in continued grid collapses, frequent blackouts, and inflated billing. AUPCTRE’s acting General Secretary, Lawrence Ilesanmi, emphasized that essential services like power and water should be subsidized by the government rather than left to private investors. He noted that the decline in public infrastructure has led to environmental issues, such as increased borehole drilling due to inadequate water supply.
Both unions advocate for a return to government ownership, believing it would lead to better service and accountability. They argue that the current privatisation model has not delivered the promised improvements and has instead exacerbated the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians. The unions are calling on the government to reconsider its approach to the power sector for the benefit of the populace.