Segun Showunmi in Ibadan
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, said that privatization of electricity which supposed to have been a blessing to Nigerians has become a curse and increased suffering of cirizens, noting that the privatization was a blessing to handful beneficiaries.
Penpushing reports that the Chairman of the congress, Comrade Kayode Martins made the observations while speaking at a Public Symposium organised by Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE), Oyo State, themed: “Privatization of Electricity, Curse or Blessing”
The labour boss pointed out that electricity privatization would have been a greater benefit to Nigerians particularly the artisans if it was sold to the right handlers, lamenting that some Nigerian youths and artisans have become jobless due to epilepsy power supply by the Distribution Company of Nigeria (DISCO).
Penpushing further reports that, Martins noted that those benefiting from the rottenness will say that nothing is wrong with the power sector. because it’s a blessing for them, but a curse to a common man, adding that government failed to play its own part.
“PHCN was not totally sold, government still has 40% stake, and government failed to played its own part. We are blessed with a lot of resources in this nation, power privatization would have been a blessing if the management was committed to the right person, but it rather had to peoples suffering.”
The Oyo State chairman of National Union of Electricity Employee (NUEE), Comrade Olaide Idris in his own contributions argued that Distribution Companies should not be blame for irregularly power supply, urging the government to play it’s part in stabilizing electricity in the country.
Penpushing also reports that, the chairman posited that for adequate power supply in the country, there must be proper monitoring of money allocated for electricity so that it can get to the right channels,and there should be genuine war against corruption, good planning project for electricity in various communities, good remuneration for electricity staff, and eradication of thefts by consumers.
The convener of Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE), Oyo State, Comrade Akinbodunse Shedrak described the privatization as waste of money ,because government is still pumping money to a system that is not yielding positive result.
“We were promised that every house in Nigerian will be metered within three months before the privatization, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commissions is one of the problem electricity consumers are having.”,Shedrak emphasised
Penpushing reports that, a member of coalition, Comrade Abiodun Bamigboye said that privatization was alien to Nigerian constitution, asking why the government would be giving public facilities to private individual to run and makes billions of naira into their personal pocket.
“We are making efforts to bring things to normal, a symposium like this would help Nigerian to know their rights, and there should be united force between the consumers so that this problem can be resolved.” Bamigboye stated
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