N96bn govt debt killing PHCN – Labour

…issues 21-day ultimatum on state of power

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

LAGOS – ORGANISED Labour in the the nation’s electricity sector, has accused the management of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), of shielding N5billion tariff Order fund, optic fibre fund from Al-hari, Dangote phase three and others.

Under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and its Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), counterpart, in a joint petition to the Committee through its Chairman, both unions also raised alarmed that over N96 Billion government agencies’ indebtedness to PHCN is gradually killing the company.

In a statement by Comrades Joe Ajaero and G.O. C Infeanacho, General Secretary of NUEE and President of SSAEAC, respectively, handed down a 21-day ultimatum to the management of PHCN to resolve among others, the huge debts owed PHCN by Government, dubious Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), lack of Gas supply to Thermal Stations, imposition of World Bank/other loans on PHCN, elimination of Tariff regime, recourse to alternative sources of power generation and transparent management or members would withdraw their services.

In the petition entitled “Before the Collapse of Power Sector – The Workers View”, the two unions posited that during the management presentation to the Committee, the management was not only economical with the facts regarding the workers demand for an improved living wage, but also exhibited high level of  insincerity at the forum over PHCN IGR and the wage bill, lamenting that the management also refused to disclose the government indebtedness to PHCN .