Electricity Workers Demand Monetisation Arrears

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) on Monday urged the Federal Government to release money for the payment of the monetisation arrears of its members.

Mr Mbang Ntukubes, the union Vice-President, Lagos and Ogun Zone, told newsmen in Lagos that the majority of the members had yet to receive their monetisation, while some received half payment.

He advised the government to publish the names of those workers that had been paid the monetised benefits and the amount they were paid.

The union leader said that the government had failed to honour its earlier agreement jointly reached with the union leaders on the payment of the monetisation arrears.

“Insincerity of PHCN management and the Federal Government on the payment of monetisation arrears are evident in their refusal to keep to the agreement of total payment.

“As at today, only 58 per cent of the staff had been paid. So, we want President Goodluck Jonathan to act on this issue,’’ he said.

Ntukubes, however, urged the government to be transparent with the process of full privatisation of PHCN, saying that it should not give room for any political intimidation or manipulation.

“We are not yet ripe for privatisation in Nigeria. We can adopt public-private participation for the sector. We will only welcome companies coming to generate electricity and partner with PHCN.

“This will give room for competition. All we are saying is don’t kill PHCN as you have killed NITEL.

“We will not accept it because we are the number one stakeholders. It is our sweat, our blood that is making this light to flow,” he said.