The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) as well as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have said the transfer of ownership of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA)/Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to private entities which the Federal Government said would improve efficiency, attract investments and enhance the overall electricity supply in Nigeria has failed.
Below is a communique issued at the end of a workshop in November 2024
COMMUNIQUE AT THE END OF TWO-DAY WORKSHOP ON PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY AND DECENT WORK IN SUPPLY CHAINS IN ELECTRICITY, WATER AND WASTE SERVICES IN SUB-SAHARA AFRICA.
On 18-19 November 2024, key representatives of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) at National and State levels converged in Abuja for a workshop on “Promoting Transparency and Decent Work in Supply Chains in Electricity, Water and Waste Services in Sub-Sahara Africa”.
The two-day event supported by DGB Bildungs Werk and Public Services International (PSI), featured presentations from experts with the aim of enabling members of the two unions on how to synergize their campaigns, actively and efficiently campaign for workers’ rights.
The event also presented the opportunity for participants to take a critical look at the electricity sector privatization in Nigeria, the observed plans by Federal and State Governments to privatize the water sector, and come up with the way forward.
Solidarity words were received from AUPCTRE National President, Comrade Benjamin Anthony and NUEE Acting General Secretary, Comrade Igwebike Dominic.
In the welcome address, PSI-DGB National Coordinator, Abiodun Bakare said that several engagements with Rank-and-File in different states across the country revealed a lot of challenges faced by the union members hence the convening aimed to gauge the pulse of members on the privatisation plans of government and how they can collectively approach the issues.
After extensive deliberations including voting, the following observations were made:
1.The transfer of ownership of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA)/Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to private entities which the Federal Government said would improve efficiency, attract investments and enhance the overall electricity supply in Nigeria has failed.
2.There is increase in electricity tarrifs and decrease in power supply resulting to darkness in most homes.
3. The unending collapse of the National grid portends danger to the National economy and increases insecurity which affects businesses in Nigeria.
4. The clandestine attempts to privatize water in Nigeria through various MOUs and Agreements at National and State levels are extremely worrisome.
5. Entrenchment of casualization and lay off of workers in Government establishments already privatized and systematic introduction of divisive policies to weaken the unity of workers and their opposition to privatization.
6. Growing abdication of responsibility by state governments who are now adopting Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
7. Poor waste management across the country.
Flowing from the above observations, participants resolved as follows:
1. A total reversal of the electricity sector privatization.
2. Review of the unjust tariff on electricity including the oppressive bands structure introduced by the current administration in the most recent tariff hike.
3..An overhaul of the National grid to upgrade it and protection of electricity infrastructure across the country from vandals who work in collusion with unscrupulous agents of the state intent on milking the country through contracts for repair works.
4. A total stoppage to the planned privatization of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
5. A halt to the planned privatization of water through the so-called PPPs. We demand instead, the introduction of Public-Public-Partnerships which have proven to be effective in addressing challenges in the public sector globally.
6.. Enshrining of the right to water in the Nigerian Constitution to guarantee universal access by all Nigerians
Introduction of realistic and sustainable public funding structure for water including Water Trust.
7. Reabsorption of workers unjustly laid off to pave way for privatization in the electricity and water sectors and payment of all emoluments due to them. We demand also, the unconditional reinstatement of the 391 disengaged staff of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) disengaged in April 2024.
Probe of all the water contracts awarded at Federal and State levels and a blacklisting of identified contractors who have failed to deliver or diverted the monies.
8. Putting in place policies and initiatives that breed harmony among workers including increased welfare packages.
Putting in place effective policies and implementation for waste management.
Signed on behalf of participants by
Comrade Benjamin Anthony
National President, AUPCTRE
NUEE Acting General Secretary, Comrade Igwebike Dominic.
