Follow Us on Google
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised alarm over what it described as an alleged N20 billion looting plot within the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), warning that the development could cripple the country’s power transmission infrastructure if urgent action is not taken.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Power, and signed by its President Joe Ajaero, the labour movement accused some officials of the company of orchestrating a scheme to siphon public funds through questionable procurement processes under the guise of emergency refurbishment projects.
Ajaero said the union was deeply concerned about an imminent large-scale financial heist capable of undermining the operational capacity of the strategic national asset.
According to him, the alleged plan involves awarding inflated contracts under the pretext of emergency interventions, which he said could result in the diversion of huge public funds.
He cited examples of what he described as questionable project costs, including plans to spend N191 million to control erosion on a single tower identified as T89 Ihovbor in Okada, as well as N290.6 million for fencing and drainage works at the Biu 132/33KV substation.
The NLC also alleged that about N226 million was earmarked for work on another tower, T27 at Etsako in Okpella Ajaokuta, while about N239.4 million was proposed for another project, which the union said raises concerns over fiscal discipline.
The labour body further alleged that there were plans to procure specialised transformers and switchgears in multiple batches from the same supplier at increasing costs, a move it described as suspicious.
It also alleged that there was a scheme to overstock consumables such as insulators, conductors and clamps at prices far above market value under the guise of preparing for grid failures.
Other News
According to the congress, such items could either be left unused in storage or may never be delivered at all, while the proceeds are allegedly shared among officials and contractors.
The union warned that if the procurement plans proceed unchecked, the Transmission Company of Nigeria could face severe financial and operational consequences.
“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. 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 Nigeria Labour Congress refuses to stand by and watch our members; the engineers, the lines men, the core staff of TCN and indeed Nigerians; become victims of this avarice. We insist that you,” Ajaero warned.
NLC called on the Minister of Power to immediately halt all ongoing emergency procurement processes in the company pending a comprehensive forensic audit.
It also urged anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the contracts and those involved.
In addition, the Congress demanded a probe into the alleged sale of land behind the TCN substation at Katampe in Abuja as well as an investigation into what it described as an irregular promotion of a staff member employed in September 2021 to the position of Assistant General Manager in 2026.
The labour union warned that it would not stand by while workers and Nigerians bear the consequences of alleged corruption within the company.
