Union Explains Stance On Minister’s Exit

The Woman Leader, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mrs Doris Nnaji has explained that the reason why workers of PHCN jubilated over the exit of the former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji was because he was alleged to be a clog in the wheel of the power reform in the country.

The NUEE national woman leader who spoke to The Tide in Port Harcourt said the forced resignation of the Power Minister was a celebrated piece of news.

“Workers smashed the minister’s picture in the offices, burnt them and buried the pictures in offices of the company as a show of joy”, she stated.

She accused the ex-minister of attempting to take over the power sector by bringing in three companies he personally had interest in to partake in the privatization bid.

Mrs Nnaji disclosed that the tentacles of the ex-minister could be found in three of the power companies as either his wife, friends or himself were owners of the companies.

The woman leader also noted that the current 4,300 MW the nation is enjoying as against the 6000 MW promised by the ex-minister was because of the high water level and not the result of any effort of the minister, adding that the minister failed woefully in his promise to generate 6000 MW to Nigeria.

The excited Mrs Nnaji, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for hurriedly accepting the resignation of Prof Barth Nnaji as according to him, “Prof Nnaji’s exit is a good omen for the power sector in Nigeria”.

She advised the President to be careful and watchful in dealing with those that work closely with him pointing out that some of them were like Prof Nnaji, who are only there for their own personal interest.

She also commended the workers of PHCN and relevant unions for celebrating the exit of the former Minister of Power.

On the welfare of the PHCN workers, the woman leader said only fairness and justice is what the workers desire and called on the presidency to be fair to power sector reform.

Meanwhile, the President General of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company (SSAEAC) Comrade Bede Opara and General Secretary of National Union of Electricity Employees, Comrade Joe Ajaero have said the management sabotaged the superannuation fund of over N331 billion which was meant for the payment of staff retirement.

According to them, “we have been receiving only 75 per cent of our salaries since we started working with the company and the remaining 25 per cent was to go to the superannuation, so what we are saying now is pay us our terminal benefits because we don’t know Pension Commission (PenCom.)” .

The pensionable agreement stated that on privatisation, workers’ welfare and benefits must be negotiated to a conclusion before privatisation but it seems government is sweeping this under the carpet.

Chris Oluoh/Vivian-Peace Nwinaenee