BY KUNLE  KALEJAYE

LAGOS – The Federal Government has directed that casual workers at the Egbin power plant in Lagos be regularised immediately.

Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, gave the directive, yesterday, when he commissioned the plant’s gymnasium centre in Lagos.

He said the plant was the most important power plant in the country, not because of it power installation but the work force in the plant.

He said: “We are committed to paying everybody and anyone that is a certified casual worker; we are sending their names for immediate regularisation.”

The Minister said workers would be given severance package with appointment letters for a period, adding: “When investors finally come in, they will give permanent employment. What I can tell you is that most of you are definitely going to be here and there is no doubt about that in my mind. I want to assure you that you have nothing to be afraid of, because reform is a good thing and the government is determined to see that the reforms are carried out.”

“I had gone round and seen the kind of work that you people have put in and they are nice jobs coming from those of you that are certified workers and from committed casuals alike.”

“Egbin power plant is company on its own, hence the headquarters is not superintended over you. You can conduct your own promotion exercise and make recommendations to me.”

On the ongoing severance negotiation with union members of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, the Minister said: “There are issues that cannot be considered. For instance, the Federal Government increased the salaries of civil servants and we have increased the salaries of workers in power companies across the nation by 50 per cent but they are asking for the salary increase when they are not civil servant. So issues like this need to be resolved.”