… To Pay PHCN Workers’ Severance Package, Today

The federal Government has proposed today as the day for the payment of the N384 billion workers severance package.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chindu Nebo made the disclosure during his official inspection to Egbin Power Station in Lagos recently. He assured that very soon the severance package or entitlement will hit various accounts by June 17. He promised that nobody is going to fine anything less than what he said.  Nebo said, “we hope to start payment of workers benefit by June 17 which is the tentative date we are working on. We need a lot of support from workers in areas of adequate information on the forms given to them.

According to him, the technical and implementation committees that have been set up to look into the issues of workers entitlement are working seriously for several months to ensuring effective result.

He said that there is a contract agreement reached with the leadership of the workers Union in ensuring that what was agreed on as regards to workers severance package is paid as at when due. He urged the workers to ensure that all forms given to them were signed and filled adequately.

The minister of power said the Ministry had issues with operational cost allocation which was not captured in the 2013, budget, adding that it is believed that the ongoing privatisation will be completed before the 2013 budget.

Nebo promised to fund the power sector in realising its dream, adding that Egbin Power Station is contributing 25 per cent of total power generation of the country.

The chief Executive Officer of Egbin Power Station, Mr. Mike Uzoigwe, said that the major challenges facing the station is funding. He urged the minister to ensure adequate funding of the station to move forward.