Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), expressed deep concerns about the ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s power sector during the 21st Trust Dialogue titled “Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and Losers.” The event took place at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja.
Ajaero highlighted a significant issue dating back to 2005 when more than 30 companies were granted licenses to establish power plants. Regrettably, despite the initial promise, none of these ventures has yielded tangible results. Ajaero criticized the lack of progress, emphasizing that the privatization policy initiated by President Jonathan was not effectively built upon by subsequent administrations.
Drawing attention to the ownership mystery surrounding Nigeria’s power sector, Ajaero expressed concern over the involvement of proxies in its ownership. He emphasized that, to date, no one can definitively identify the actual owners of the power sector. Ajaero urged the Tinubu government to adopt a holistic approach in addressing these issues, emphasizing the need for a conscious plan to propel Nigeria forward.
Additionally, Ajaero criticized the first three policies introduced by the Tinubu administration, asserting that they have caused more hardship for Nigerians. He specifically mentioned that President Tinubu aimed to build upon President Jonathan’s privatization policy, but subsequent administrations, including President Buhari’s, failed to take effective action. Ajaero argued that the current state of the power sector, coupled with financial challenges, necessitates a strategic and comprehensive plan to uplift the nation.
