…as PHCN explains blackout

By Victor Ahiuma-Young
LAGOS—THE two unions in the nation’s electricity industry,  Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, and National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal  Government and the management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA,  reached with them over the balance of  137 per cent salary increase, regularisation of the over 10,000 workers and the remission of N120 billion superannuation fund.

More so following power outage in Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos over the past one week, management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc, PHCN, Oshodi Business Unit, has announced that the reason is due to a faulty feeder which is currently undergoing some repair works.

SSAEAC and NUEE, threatened that if their demands were not met at the expiration of the ultimatum, members would down tools and withdraw their services, declaring that no amount of intimidation from government or its agents would deter them from demanding and fighting for their rights.

The unions, in a joint statement by SSAEAC’s President, Comrade Bede Opara, Secretary of SSAEAC, Comrade Abiodun Ogunnsegha, NUEE’s President, Comrade Mansur Musa and his General Secretary, Comrade Joe Ajaero, weekend, stated that for about two or more years now, a balance of 137% salary increase has been pending for implementation since the workers  received 13% of the total of 150% salary increase the Ogun State Capital, three brutalized in Abuja, two in Asaba and many other states who he said are presently in critical condition in the hospitals.

Comrade Ajaero, who spoke in Benin City, Edo State, disclose that the union had asked its lawyer Mr. Bamidele Aturu to take up the issue with the Inspector General of Police, saying “First of all, we have asked our lawyer to demand apology from the IGP for the infringement on our fundamental human rights because our action was based on the agreement signed by the government without compulsion and it is the same government that is not obeying the agreement, instead they are using the state power to oppress the harmless workers.”

PHCN explains blackout

FOLLOWING power outage in Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos over the past one week, management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc, PHCN, Oshodi Business Unit, has announced that the reason is due to a faulty feeder which is currently undergoing some repair works.

This was in a statement made available to Vanguard in Lagos by the Senior Manager Public Affairs of the Unit, Mrs Bolajoko Haastrup.

It said: “This unavoidable outage is to enable PHCN maintenance crew carry out major repairs on  Ago/Okota 33KVA Feeder to further boost power supply.”
to these areas.

We regret any inconvenience that this outage may cause and we promise to restore supply immediately the work is completed.