Criminals Threaten PHCN Staff Over Severance Pay

Workers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Nnewi, Anambra State, have alleged that criminals are harassing them following the Federal Government’s announcement of N384 billion for their disengagement.

The workers on Wednesday embarked on a peaceful demonstration under the auspices of Anambra State Council of National Union of Electricity Employees (ASCNUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company in Nnewi.

The State Chairman of ASCNUEE, Mr. Steve Ezenwa, urged government to take steps to secure the immediate release of the kidnapped members of the union.

According to him, members of the union have become targets and victims of hoodlums following the announcement by the government.

He said, “PHCN workers are already apprehensive of the situation on ground after two female staff of PHCN, Nnewi were recently kidnapped and are still held in captivity.

“It was unfortunate that the technical committee and financial consultants contracted to evaluate the exit package of PHCN workers have not completed the assignment before the announcement was made.”

He said the government should retract its statement on the matter and inform the public better on the state of affairs in the power sector.

The Federal Government had on February 22 announced the release of N384 billion for the settlement of staff of PHCN that would be disengaged nationwide.

The representatives of the workers and the Federal Government had reached an agreement to pay 25 per cent of a total agreed sum to the workers.

The balance of 75 per cent is to be deposited with the Pension Fund Administrators to be accessed by the workers for a lifetime on monthly basis.