The Federal Government has appealed to Organised Labour not to disrupt its transformation agenda for the power sector, emphasizing the necessity of current sacrifices for future gains. Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, made this plea following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing State House correspondents, Adelabu assured Labour that their demands presented during Monday’s protest were under consideration. The protest, led by leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), sought the reversal of recent electricity tariff hikes.
Responding to Labour’s demands, Adelabu acknowledged the government’s commitment to dialogue and stressed the importance of peaceful protests in a democratic setting. However, he noted that over 95% of protesters were not directly affected by the tariff hike, as they still benefit from substantial government subsidies.
Adelabu urged patience, highlighting the administration’s efforts to restructure and improve the power sector, which has been plagued by decades of neglect. He emphasized the need for cooperation to achieve long-term solutions, despite the temporary challenges posed by reforms.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power secured FEC approval for three crucial projects aimed at strengthening the nation’s power infrastructure. These include the procurement of transformers and reactors for TCN, construction of transmission lines, and installation of emergency restoration systems to address vandalism-related disruptions.
These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring stable and reliable power supply, vital for economic growth and development.
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