- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed disappointment in the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, over his demand for N8 billion on sensitization.
In reaction to the demand made by the Minister at the Budget defense, NLC Chairman, Joe Ajaero, slammed the demand, stating that it epitomized the depth of profligacy, wastefulness, and corruption.
This was contained in a statement issued by the NLC boss on Tuesday.
Decrying the poor state of the country’s power sector, Ajaero held that Adelabu should be more concerned on how to grant access to constant electricity for majority of Nigerians.
While calling out the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) failing to exercise its duties, Ajaero described the demand for N80 billion on sensitizing Nigerians as insensitive and an utter disregard for accountability.
“NERC is therefore telling Nigerians that it is not prepared to discharge its mandate and has thus failed woefully which explains the shamble in the sector.
“It is on this basis that we express our profound disappointment and outrage at the absurd quest for allocation of about N8 billion in the 2025 federal budget for the so called sensitization of Nigerians on the need to pay electricity bills as disclosed by the Honourable Minister Of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during his recent budget defense in the Assembly.
“This ludicrous proposal epitomizes the depth Of profligacy. wastefulness. and corruption that has permeated governance in Nigeria. At a time when of Nigerians are grappling with crushing poverty. runaway inflation and the unbearable weight of a failing economy. it is both insulting and tragic that our leaders find it appropriate to squander public funds on such frivolities.
“To allocate a whopping N8 billion to sensitize Nigerians who are already burdened with exorbitant electricity tariffs reeks insensitivity and an utter disregard for accountability.” Ajaero wrote.