NLC alleges N20bn procurement scandal in TCN

The Nigeria Labour Congress has petitioned the Federal Authorities over what it described as a deliberate N20bn “emergency refurbishment” contract inside the Transmission Firm of Nigeria, warning that the transfer may drain public funds and additional weaken the nation’s fragile electrical energy transmission infrastructure.

In a letter despatched Sunday to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, the union accused some officers on the state-owned utility of orchestrating what it described as a large-scale procurement scheme disguised as pressing infrastructure repairs.

TCN operates Nigeria’s nationwide electrical energy transmission community, shifting energy from producing vegetation to distribution firms that offer properties and companies. The corporate sits on the centre of the nation’s electrical energy provide chain, which has lengthy struggled with weak infrastructure and frequent grid failures.

The letter, titled “Cease the bleeding in TCN earlier than it collapses,” was signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero.

The PidomNigeria reached out to TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah for remark. She stated the corporate had not but seen the NLC letter and promised to reply after reviewing it.

“I haven’t seen the letter but. We are going to examine the matter, establish the related departments or personnel concerned, and get again to you,” Mbah stated.

In line with the union, there are ongoing plans to award contracts price practically N20bn underneath an emergency refurbishment programme, which it claimed may quantity to “double-dipping of the best order” and convert public funds into non-public fortunes.

The labour physique alleged that a number of tasks listed underneath the programme seem excessively priced and questionable. “The plan to spend practically N20b from TCN coffers on the so-called emergency refurbishment appears extra like a contrivance to fleece an organization that’s already saddled with fiscal challenges.

“For instance, there is no such thing as a different technique to clarify the plan to spend N191m to regulate erosion on one tower – T89 Ihovbor, Okada; N290,654,361 just for fence and drainage on the Biu 132/33KV Sub-Station; N226,024,555 of only one Tower T27 at Etsako, Okpella Ajaokuta; and N239,498,443.75, and many others., however that they’re all very questionable, negating the rules of fiscal self-discipline,” Ajaero wrote.

Past the refurbishment contracts, the labour union alleged that there are plans to buy the identical gear, notably specialised transformers and switchgear, in a number of batches from the identical provider at escalating costs.

“This isn’t procurement; that is cash laundering disguised as grid enlargement,” the NLC stated. The union additionally warned of a scheme to overstock grid consumables similar to insulators, conductors, and clamps, which it claimed might be procured at costs far above market worth underneath the pretext of making ready for potential grid collapses.

In line with the NLC, the objects may find yourself saved indefinitely or by no means delivered, whereas the funds are allegedly shared amongst officers concerned within the procurement course of and contractors.

The labour physique described the scenario as a transparent and current hazard, warning that the usage of emergency procedures may enable these concerned to bypass normal procurement processes. “The cabal inside TCN is hoping to make use of the duvet of emergency to bypass due course of and bury these crimes in a blizzard of paperwork,” the union stated.

It added that if the procurement plans proceed, TCN may endure long-term operational setbacks. “If these procurements proceed, TCN won’t solely be poorer, however its operational capability might be crippled for a decade. The grid will turn out to be a everlasting affected person within the emergency room, not as a result of we lack the expertise, however as a result of the funds meant to heal it have been stolen,” the letter acknowledged.

The NLC stated it will not stand by whereas staff within the energy sector and Nigerians bear the results of alleged monetary misconduct inside the firm.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress refuses to face by and watch our members, the engineers, the linemen, the core workers of TCN, and certainly Nigerians turn out to be victims of this avarice,” Ajaero wrote.

The labour union urged the Minister of Power to right away intervene and halt the alleged procurement plans. Particularly, the NLC known as on the federal government to droop all ongoing emergency procurement processes in TCN pending a full forensic audit.

It additionally requested that anti-corruption businesses, together with the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee and the Impartial Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee, be invited to analyze the transactions.

As well as, the union demanded an investigation into the pinnacle of procurement and members of TCN’s administration staff if they’re discovered to be concerned within the alleged actions.

The NLC additionally known as for a probe into the sale of land situated behind the TCN substation in Katampe, Abuja, which it prompt might be linked to broader governance issues inside the firm.

One other difficulty raised within the petition pertains to what the union described as an irregular personnel transfer inside the organisation. In line with the NLC, there ought to be an investigation into an try to advertise a workers member employed on September 16, 2021, to the place of Assistant Basic Supervisor by 2026, which it stated violates established employment guidelines inside the firm.

The union concluded by urging the federal government to behave swiftly to stop additional harm to the ability sector. “We await your pressing response and motion. The persistence of Nigerian staff shouldn’t be a vast useful resource, and we imagine {that a} sew in time saves 9,” the letter stated.