NLC Threatens Showdown Over PHCN Workers’ Plight

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has threatened to embark
on a nationwide industrial strike if the Federal Government  fails to withdraw all soldiers at the
headquarters of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) before tomorrow,
and commence negotiation with the workers.

President of NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, while briefing
newsmen at the end of its national executive council meeting in Benin, Edo
State also demanded the assurance of security in the country, corruption, trial
of those affected by the fuel subsidy scam and murderers of Olayinka Oyerinde
among others.

Umaru said the NLC condemns the military takeover of the
corporate headquarters of the PHCN over the industrial relations issue and
urged the Federal Government to within the next one week (from last Wednesday)
withdraw the army from PHCN and commence negotiation with the union on the
outstanding labour issues.

The NLC NEC demanded the immediate setting up of strike
mediation across the country to prosecute the planned strike and directed the
unions affected by the government actions to compel the government and
management of PHCN to implement the agreement on the conditions of service.

Meanwhile, labour leaders have urged the Federal Government
to implement the free prepaid meter policy to enable electricity consumers
enjoy better service.

The labour leaders in a chat with our correspondent in Lagos
observed that inadequate electricity supply was hampering the nation’s economic
growth.

The Tide reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory
Commission (NERC) had in May announced that the new policy would enable
consumers obtain and maintain prepaid meters free-of-charge.

President, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and
Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Mr Bede Opara said that the policy would improve
electricity service, adding that the target was to improve service because as
he puts it “consumers usually complain that they were receiving bills without
their meters being read”.

He explained that the cost of the meter and the connection
fees were imbedded in the new electricity tariff regime which took place on
June 1.

Also speaking, the General Secretary, Association of Senior
Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Mr. Solomon Onaghinon, while commending the
policy, expressed worry that the policy was yet to take off two months after
its announcement.

According to Onaghinon, the provision of prepaid meters to
consumers would reduce the problem of indebtedness to the Power Holding Company
of Nigeria (PHCN) as consumers who recharged their cards would get electricity.

Shedie Okpara