A top executive of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) says the privatization of Nigeria’s electricity sector has been a curse and increased the suffering of Nigerians.
According to Comrade Kayode Martins, Chairman of the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, privatization has benefited few, leaving the majority of Nigerians to suffer.
Speaking at a public symposium organised by the Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE), Oyo State, themed: ‘Privatization of Electricity, Curse or Blessing?’, Comrade Kayode Martins pointed out that electricity privatization would have been a greater benefit to Nigerians particularly the artisans if it were sold to the right handlers.
He lamented that some youth and artisans have become jobless due to epilepsy power supply by the Distribution Company of Nigeria (DISCO).
Mr Martins noted that those benefiting from the rot would say there is nothing wrong with the power sector because it is a blessing for them.
He said the government has failed to play its part.
“PHCN was not sold; the government still has 40% stake but it has failed to play its part. We are blessed with a lot of resources in this nation…power privatization would have been a blessing if the management were committed to the right person, but it rather had the people suffering,” he noted.
The convener of the Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE), Oyo State, Comrade Akinbodunse Shedrak described privatization as a waste of money because the government is still pumping money into a system that is not yielding positive results.
“We were promised that every house in Nigeria will be metered within three months before the privatization. The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission is one of the problems electricity consumers are having,” Shedrak emphasised.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
