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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The National Association of Electricity Employees (NUEE), has threatened to commence another round of industrial action few weeks after it resumed operations over failure by the Federal Government to address its demands.
According to a statement released to newsmen by the National Vice President of the Union, (East) Joe Oforka it noted that “it is an undeniable truth that the Power Sector privatization has not added value to the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Oforka also regretted that almost nine years of power privatization, entitlements of some of the workers of the defunct PHCN have not been paid resulting in untold hardship and death to some of them.
Oforka added ” The precarious work conditions has imposed hardship on existing employees in the Sector as the Generation (GenCos) Companies have refused to sign Conditions of Service guiding Employer/Employee relations, Lack of workplace democracy, poor remuneration and others,”.
He also expressed disappointment that Electricity tariff has continued to rise without making prepaid meters available to Nigerians despite Federal Government’s directive to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
“We are prepared to use our labour and sweat to liberate the Sector and the country from the clutches of these ‘Hustlers’ in the Power Sector. We are the only voice currently crying in the wilderness, we,this is cannot be cowed, this is no longer at the era of Master-Servant relationship.
” We are ready to down tool should federal government fails to implement the 2019 agreement with the union on the non payment of exit entitlements to ex PHCN workers.
“Nigerians should also be informed that the two weeks window that we gave the federal government has elapsed. The Federal Govt of Nigeria should be held responsible should the union be forced to embark on another Nationwide strike”. Oforka stated.
He stated further “The infrastructural development by the New Business Owners in the Power Sector has almost gone comatose; while the Socio-Economic status of the average worker in the Sector has continued to decline amidst prevailing harsh economic conditions.
“The same equipments inherited Pre-Privatization have remained what drives the sector as there are no visible attempt by the Generation Companies (GenCos) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) to upgrade and expand their capacities/networks”. He lamented.
Same vain, the South east/South South secretary of the union,Emeka Ugboaja at a separate conference in Owerri had urge the federal government to reverse the privatisation of the power sector.
