The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised alarm over an alleged plan to spend nearly N20 billion on what it described as “emergency refurbishment” of facilities belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), calling for an immediate halt to the procurement process and a full forensic audit of the company.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Power and signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the labour union alleged that the proposed expenditure could amount to a large-scale procurement scandal within the power transmission firm.
The congress urged the minister to immediately suspend all ongoing emergency procurement activities in TCN pending a comprehensive investigation.
It also called on anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to probe the company’s procurement processes and investigate senior officials allegedly involved.
The NLC warned that the proposed contracts, presented as emergency refurbishment projects, could be a means to divert public funds.
“The plan to spend nearly N20 billion from TCN coffers on the so-called emergency refurbishment looks more like a contrivance to fleece a company that is already saddled with fiscal challenges,” the letter stated.
“We write to you with the grave concern of a labour movement watching a strategic national asset being systematically disemboweled.”
According to the union, the alleged procurement plans include projects with what it described as inflated costs. These include N191 million earmarked for erosion control on Tower T89 in Ihovbor, Okada; N290.65 million for fencing and drainage at the Biu 132/33kV substation; and N226.02 million for repairs on Tower T27 at Etsako, Okpella–Ajaokuta.
The congress argued that such expenditures raise questions about fiscal discipline and transparency in the management of the company’s resources.
“It is apparent that there are plans to purchase the same item; specifically, specialized transformers and switchgears; in multiple batches from the same supplier at escalating costs,” the NLC said.
“This is not procurement; this is money laundering disguised as grid expansion.”
The union further alleged that there were plans to overstock consumables such as insulators, conductors and clamps at prices above market value.
“These are items that will either be stored and left to rot, or simply never delivered, with the proceeds shared among the procurement committee and the ‘vendors,’” the statement added.
The NLC warned that allowing the procurement process to continue could weaken the operational capacity of TCN and worsen challenges in the national power grid.
“Honourable Minister, this is a clear and present danger. The cabal within TCN is hoping to use the cover of ‘emergency’ to bypass due process and bury these crimes in a blizzard of paperwork,” the union said.
“If these procurements proceed, TCN will not only be poorer, but its operational capacity will be crippled for a decade. The grid will become a permanent patient in the emergency room, not because we lack the technology, but because the funds meant to heal it were stolen.”
The labour union therefore urged the minister to halt the procurement process and invite anti-corruption agencies to scrutinise the contracts and investigate officials involved.
“We insist that you: Immediately halt all ongoing ‘emergency’ procurement processes in TCN pending a full forensic audit. Invite the anti-graft agencies (EFCC/ICPC) to beam their searchlights on each item,” the letter said.
The union also called for investigations into the alleged sale of land behind a TCN substation in Katampe, Abuja, as well as a controversial staff promotion it claimed violated established employment rules within the organisation.
“We await your urgent response and action. The patience of Nigerian workers is not an unlimited resource and we believe that a stitch in time saves nine. Let us work together to save TCN before it is bled to death,” the NLC added.
