The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has raised concerns over an alleged plan by certain officials within the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, to spend close to N20 billion on electricity grid expansion projects.
The labour union claimed that the proposed expenditure, reportedly being pursued under the label of “emergency refurbishment,” appears to be a scheme aimed at diverting funds from the financially strained power utility.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the union warned that the planned spending poses a serious threat to the organisation’s financial stability.
Ajaero alleged that a group operating within TCN was attempting to use the justification of an “emergency” to sidestep standard procurement procedures and conceal questionable transactions within complex documentation.
He cautioned that if the procurement plans go ahead, the financial health of TCN could deteriorate further, potentially undermining its ability to operate effectively for many years.
According to the NLC leader, the national grid could remain in a perpetual state of crisis, not because of a lack of technical capacity, but due to the diversion of funds intended to improve infrastructure.
Providing examples of what he described as questionable spending proposals, Ajaero claimed that N191 million had been earmarked for erosion control work on Tower T89 in Ihovbor, Okada.
He also pointed to a proposed expenditure of N290.65 million for fencing and drainage work at the Biu 132/33KV substation.
He cited a planned allocation of N226.02 million for work on Tower T27 in the Etsako–Okpella–Ajaokuta axis, describing such figures as inconsistent with the principles of prudent financial management.
The NLC further alleged that there were plans to procure specialised transformers and switchgear in separate batches from the same supplier at progressively higher prices.
Ajaero argued that such arrangements suggested irregularities in the procurement process, describing them as an attempt to channel funds through inflated contracts rather than legitimate infrastructure upgrades.
He also accused officials of planning to stockpile consumable materials such as insulators, conductors and clamps at prices significantly above market rates, allegedly under the pretext of preparing for potential grid failures.
The NLC president therefore called on the Minister of Power to suspend all ongoing “emergency” procurement activities within TCN pending the outcome of a comprehensive forensic audit.
He also urged the minister to investigate the reported sale of land located behind the TCN substation in Katampe, Abuja.
In addition, Ajaero requested a review of an alleged attempt to promote a staff member employed on September 16, 2021, to the position of Assistant General Manager by 2026, which he said violates the company’s established promotion guidelines.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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