Business
Minister Tasks PHCN Workers On Severance Package
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has advised PHCN workers to invest their severance package wisely when paid.
Nebo gave the advice at a question and answer session with the media and labour unions in Eko Electricity Distribution Company in Lagos.
“I want to urge all of you to ensure that when the severance package is paid into your account, you should plan on it and spend it wisely.
“The money should be spent meticulously, and avoid unnecessary flamboyant spending that will attract robbers and wastages,’’ he said.
The minister, however, assured workers that their package will be paid as agreed and directly into their account in batches.
He urged them to invest the money in their children’s education so that it would not look as if their children did not benefit from their suffering and hard labour.
However, some union members cautioned Federal Government to reduce the rate of publicity on the package, to avoid being attacked by hoodlums.
Chairman, Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) Eko Electricity Distribution Zone chapter, Mr Segun Afolorunso, expressed the fear that the announcement might attract robbers and kidnappers to beneficiaries.
He implored the government not to make further pronouncement on the issue because hoodlums could use the avenue to start attacking the disengaged PHCN workers.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.