Two major unions — the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) have called on the Federal Government to urgently reverse the privatisation of Nigeria’s power and water sectors.
In a joint statement issued after a meeting in Kano, the unions said the privatisation of the sectors has failed, leaving Nigerians with worse service than before.
“We as Labour and trade unions have asked the Federal Government to reverse, with immediate effect, the privatisation of the sectors because Nigeria was better off when they were under government control,” the unions declared.
Ayuba Barde, NUEE’s North West Zonal Organising Secretary I, told journalists that the unions had warned from the beginning that the policy would not benefit the country.
“We knew this policy would not work because we understand the system. But we were not listened to,” he said. “Now Nigerians can see for themselves — low electricity supply, high tariffs, estimated billing, and no proper investment from the private operators.”
He alleged that the power sector was sold to allies of government officials without proper valuation, leading to frequent grid collapses and nationwide blackouts.
Supporting the call, AUPCTRE’s Acting General Secretary, Lawrence Ilesanmi, said electricity and water are basic social services that should not be handed over to private hands.
“The government is avoiding its responsibility and pushing essential services to private investors who are only after profit,” he said. “The result is that citizens are exposed to exploitation and environmental risks, especially in the water sector where excessive borehole drilling is now common.”
The unions warned that unless the government rethinks the privatisation policy, Nigerians will continue to suffer from poor services and rising costs in both sectors.