The already deplorable power situation in the
country may worsen as employees of Power
Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have
threatened to stop the supply of electricity across
the country by October 2 if the federal government
goes ahead to handover the assets of the company
to private investors today without the conclusion of
payment of workers entitlements.
The industrial action follows the expiration of the
ultimatum issued by the workers to government to
resolve all labour issues ahead of the privatisation
of PHCN.
In preparation for the industrial action, the workers
will today hold a nationwide protest to alert
Nigerians of impending shutdown of the power
sector on Wednesday.
Speaking under the umbrella of National Union of
Electricity Employees (NUEE), the union
directed its
members to withdraw their services from all PHCN
installations immediately after the celebration of
the nation’s 53 Independence anniversary.
The union, in a statement issued by its secretary,
Joe Ajaero, said the industrial action became
necessary in view of government refusal to resolve
the outstanding labour issues with the workers.
The union said it was particularly disturbed by the
statement credited to the Chairman of National
Council on Privatisation (NCP), Vice-President
Namadi Sambo that government had settled all the
labour issues which had impeded the smooth take
off of the privatisation programme and the
handover to private investors.
The union insisted that the vice-president was
either being misled or deliberately keen on
emasculating the PHCN workers with a view to
further impoverishing them.
It challenged the Office of the Vice-President “to
mention any person from his constituency – Kaduna
State where he served as governor, who has been
paid his entitlement, pension and gratuity.”
The union further alleged governments deployment
of military personnel to all PHCN facilities stating
that the aim was to ostensibly to allow a forceful
takeover of the installations without conclusively
settling the labour issues.
It noted that the policy of deploying soldiers to
PHCN installations to intimidate workers was
“definitely misguided and misdirected as they are
directed to creating more tension to already tensed
polity.”
The statement read: “For clarity, please note that
these issues are outstanding: payments of terminal
benefits: payment of the terminal benefits is yet to
rise up to 50 per cent for the eligible workers. Non-
payment of retirement savings fund to Pension Fund
Administrators (PFAs): Up till this moment no
efforts has been made to commence payment. The
PFAs can attest to this fact. Non-remittance of 2
per cent of the union deductions as agreed: No
word has been heard from the BPE/government on
remittance of this two person neither has the
deductions already made from the paid workers
remitted to the unions.”
“Non-payment of retirees who disengaged since
2011: It is absurd and sordid for government not to
think of settling these people who laboured over
the years in service of this country and get retired
meritoriously, while the privatisation exercise was
on. Non-regularisation of some of the casuals
already identified: With the biometrics done and
concluded, it becomes worrisome on the continued
delay in regularising the casuals who had been
identified based on agreements already entered
into. 10 per cent equity shareholding by the
workers: In line with the relevant laws, the workers
are entitled to 10 per cent Equity Share of the total
sale of PHCN. But it appears the government is
bent on short changing the workers.”
“The shortfall of terminal benefits from June 2012
till date has not been considered for payment.
“These contending issues cannot be jettisoned by
the workers to allow any force to takeover! It
behooves us therefore to advise the vice-president
and those misguiding him not to toy with the socio-
economic lives of PHCN workers, their families and
other Nigerians who depend on them for their
livelihood. We are set to take our destiny in our
hands.
“Because of Independence Day ceremonies, we
would be patient to allow for full celebrations.
“However, we hereby urge Nigerians to bear with
us if after October 2, the government goes ahead
with her illicit handover to the investors and
forceful takeover; the implication would be that the
workers have technically been asked to withdraw
their services and we may not be able to guarantee
smooth operations.
Consequently, if after October 2, the Office of the
Vice-President fails to correct this misleading
information, we shall not guarantee supply of
electricity in the country. This is not a threat as our
earlier ultimatum has expired.”
Help us promote this blog by sharing our post or comment.....God bless y'll
No comments:
Post a Comment