By Oscarline Onwuemenyi
The Federal Government has sought to explain the reason behind its recent deployment of military personnel to various power installations across the country.

Government’s explanation by is coming on the heels of protests by members of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, who have refused to report to work claiming that the presence of the military was a tacit act of intimidation by government even as it carried out its reform of the power sector.

According to a statement signed by the Assistant Director Press in the Ministry of Power, Mr. Greyne Anosike, government’s action was meant to “draw the attention of the Nigerian public to the present security challenges in the country which have warranted the deployment of security personnel to all major infrastructures in the country in order to protect government investments.”

It also explained that these are preemptive measures to protect citizens employed in these organizations and safeguard power installations.

“Government therefore, wishes to remind all PHCN Staff and indeed, all Nigerians that electricity is one of those critically vital infrastructure (essential services) where workers must not go on strike as doing so is tantamount to willfully removing the life support upon which the sovereignty of Nigeria is sustained,” it added.

The statement further explained that, “The security personnel are under strict instructions to protect the lives of workers and guard installations from possible terror attacks, which would undoubtedly throw the nation into total darkness, thereby weakening the present government’s efforts to sustain the gains so far made on the economy.” It therefore, called on workers Nigerians to support the power sector reform and refrain from any action that would jeopardize government’s efforts.

Meanwhile, in view of fears of ghost workers amid 50 percent wage increases, the Federal government has directed all electricity workers to submit themselves to biometric data capturing similar to what obtains in other ministries and agencies throughout the Federation.

“The resistance by the PHCN workers negates the policy trust of the present administration on power, and therefore unacceptable to the government.” It argued that biometric data capturing can only be resisted by workers who are benefiting from a porous system that condones corruption.  Since its inception in Nigeria a few years back, the biometric exercise has been mandatory, unconditional and consequential, and therefore, PHCN workers cannot be an exception.