Association Tasks FG On Power Reforms

The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), has urged the Federal Government to ensure that it completes ongoing electricity projects to ensure regular power supply.

The appeal is contained in a communiqué, signed by Mr Bede Opara and Mr Abiodun Ogunsegha, the SSAEAC’s President and General Secretary, respectively.

The communiqué was made available to The Tide at the end of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos.

The association said that it was pertinent for the government to resolve the power challenge facing the country so as to move the economy forward.

“The government should ensure conclusion of all on-going Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) projects because of the huge amount that had been invested in the projects.

The Union said the government should as a matter of urgency also fast-track all National Integrated Power Projects for the benefit of Nigerians,’’

The Union also urged the government to conclude the negotiation to settle the entitlement of PHCN workers nationwide.

The communiqué said that PHCN staff at the distribution centres were yet to benefit from the pay-off occasioned by the December, 2012 agreement.

It noted that although the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria was contracted out while its ownership remained with the Federal Government, its workers should be disengaged and settled like other PHCN employees.

The communiqué advised the association to prevail on government and its agencies involved in the privatisation process to commence the training of professionals in the sector in readiness for post privatisation life.

It said that the association’s leadership would engage government in setting aside 10 per cent equity in PHCN formations, slated for sale to the workers in accordance with the regulations guiding privatisation of government-owned business ventures.

The Union said with this, government could consider the release or sale of PHCN’s Afam Plant, Orji River Plant, Calabar Plant and Ijora Power Station to the workers as part of its privatisation programme.’’

The communiqué advised government to come up with a policy statement on providing meters for customers to settle the confusion over provision of meters to customers.