Nigeria: PHCN Workers Ground Activities At Head Office

Sunday Williams

29 June 2011

Workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) yesterday grounded activities at the Corporate Headquarters of PHCN in Abuja as they pressed on for their demands.

The unions had on Monday issued statements on a planned ‘general prayer’ in all their offices nationwide on the issues of non-payments of 50 percent increment as well their protest against the appointment of Professor Barth Nnaji as Minister of power.

As early as 8am, the workers were mobilized at the main entrance of the head office where they closed the gate before proceeding with their prayers, chanting different choruses and solidarity songs.

The FCT chairman of NUEE, Comrade Lameed S.Obadaki told the media that they have been battling with the government as far back as 2006, saying they believe in praying to God to give them direction in their struggles.

He said that under the agreement between the government and the union, the 50 percent increment is supposed to take effect in this month of June but nothing is forthcoming.

He said: “We are even hearing the rumour that the management is going to subtract the 13 percent that was negotiated since 2009 from the 50 percent increment. This is a lie, we cannot accept such a thing, and it is not possible.

“50 percent is 50 percent as agreed with the government. From now we are giving between 14 and 21 days as we used to do and if action is not taken, then we will withdraw our services.”

On the issue of Professor Bart Nnaji, the chairman said that the former Special Adviser to the President on power is causing a lot of problems in the sector and that is why they are kicking against his appointment as the minister of power.

He said: “This is at the same time why we are here this morning to offer prayer to Almighty God to touch President Goodluck Jonathan’s heart not to appoint Bart Nnaji as a power Minister because he is not credible enough to run this sector. He is the one causing confusion between government and PHCN, therefore we don’t need him as a minister in the power sector.”

While speaking to newsmen in Abuja ahead of the prayer protest, the Managing Director/CEO of PHCN, Engineer Hussein Labo said that though the union did not notify the management on the prayer, it is not the first time they are doing it.

“Those in the control rooms, transmission stations are going to be in their offices. It is only the less essential workers that will do this prayer. Those in the distribution who distribute the power don’t join in the prayer so you will still see power coming in. It is not that they are going to shut down,” he said.

On the 50 percent increment, the Managing Director said that there is a process when salary is increased in any government organization.

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