NLC Demands Radical Restructuring of Nigeria's Energy Sector
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a bold call for a fundamental restructuring of the nation's electricity sector, urging the Federal Government to immediately merge the Petroleum and Power ministries into a single, unified Ministry of Energy. This proposal, described as a political demand to assert national sovereignty over energy resources, aims to dismantle what the NLC terms "compartmentalised fiefdoms" that have hindered progress.
Addressing Structural Rot and Bailout Concerns
NLC President Joe Ajaero, in a recent statement, expressed grave concern over the persistent stagnation in Nigeria's power sector, which he says has become a perpetual burden on workers, manufacturers, and the general populace. He highlighted the proposed N6 trillion bailout for power generation companies (GenCos) as a symptom of deeper systemic issues, arguing that citizens cannot continue applying bandages to a fundamentally fractured system.
Ajaero lamented that while the ruling class and their allies in Distribution Companies (DisCos) and GenCos benefit from alleged phantom subsidy claims and tariff hikes, ordinary Nigerians are left to endure darkness. He emphasized that the merger of ministries is a crucial first step toward de-commodifying energy and prioritizing public interest over private profit.
Breaking Down Silos and Gas Supply Challenges
The NLC leader pointed out that for too long, the Petroleum and Power ministries have operated in silos, serving separate factions of the bourgeoisie while the economy's productive base collapses. He alleged that thermal power generation, which constitutes the bulk of grid capacity, is held hostage by gas supply gaps. Ajaero criticized the government for treating gas as an export commodity to benefit elites, while the power sector struggles for feedstock to maintain electricity supply.
According to him, the petroleum ministry prioritizes profits for International Oil Companies (IOCs) and local moguls, leaving the power ministry to explain grid collapses due to empty or vandalized gas pipelines. Under a single ministry, he noted, there would be one minister accountable to the people, eliminating blame games and fostering a holistic view of national energy assets.
APC Chieftain Echoes Concerns Over Power Crisis
In a related development, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, described the ongoing power outages as a major setback to the Federal Government's reforms in the sector. He noted that despite numerous reforms and assurances from authorities, the situation has worsened, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently to alleviate further hardship for Nigerians.
The NLC's proposal underscores a growing demand for integrated energy management, ensuring that gas—a national heritage—is used primarily for domestic power generation to industrialize the nation and create jobs, rather than being flared or exported while citizens suffer in darkness.
