…Civil Society Decries Power Sector Failures, Opposes Water Privatization Plans
By Bunmi Yekini
Labour unions and civil society organizations have urged the Nigerian government to reverse the privatization of public assets, describing the process as a failure that has worsened socio-economic conditions for millions of Nigerians. This demand was made at a symposium held in Lagos, organized by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), with support from the DGB Bildungs Wek and Public Services International (PSI).
The symposium, themed “Socio-Economic and Political Implications of Privatization of Public Assets and Utilities and the Way Forward,” highlighted the challenges stemming from the 2013 privatization of Nigeria’s electricity sector and the looming threat of water utility privatization.
AUPCTRE National President, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, criticized privatization efforts, stating:
“The failure of the electricity sector privatization was predicted. The same fate awaits the water sector unless we intensify advocacy to halt these misguided policies.”
Participants unanimously condemned the poor outcomes of the electricity privatization, citing the stagnant power generation of 4,000–5,800 megawatts, recurring grid collapses, 24 in 2024 alone, and unjust electricity tariffs that divide Nigerians into discriminatory bands.
“Tariff hikes and class-based electricity distribution have turned darkness into a luxury the poor cannot afford,” said one participant.
The keynote speaker, Professor Mande Hosea Mangu, advocated for democratic control of public utilities, warning against corporate takeovers that prioritize profit over service delivery.
Protest and Key Recommendations
The event culminated in a protest march in Ikeja, where participants called for the reversal of the electricity sector privatization and rejected plans to privatize water utilities.
The communique issued at the end of the symposium outlined critical recommendations, including:
- Reversal of electricity sector privatization and tariff hikes.
- Halting discussions on privatizing water assets, especially under models influenced by the World Bank and IMF.
- Adoption of Public-Public Partnerships (PUPs) as an alternative to privatization.
- Convening a public hearing by the Nigerian Senate to allow citizens to express their views on electricity privatization.
- Increased investment in human capital and transparency within public sector institutions.
The unions also highlighted the detrimental impact of privatization on workers, citing job losses, insecurity, and displacements as ongoing challenges.
Signatories to the communique included notable organizations such as the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria), and Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI)
among others.
As the privatization debate intensifies, Nigerians await concrete action from the government to address these concerns and prioritize citizens’ welfare over corporate interests.