Workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies on Tuesday grounded activities at the corporate headquarters of PHCN in Abuja as they turned the supposedly prayer session in respect of their demands to protest poor welfare.
Prior to the protest, which prevented people from performing their duties, the various unions had issued statements on the non-payment of their 50 per cent salary increment as well their disapproval of the perceived appointment of Prof Barth Nnaji as minister of Power.
The workers, who mobilised early on Tuesday, barricaded the main entrance of the head office where they closed the gate before proceeding with their prayers amid solidarity songs.
Speaking to journalists the FCT Chairman of NUEE, Mr. Lamee Obadaki, said since they had been battling with the government as far back as 2006,they always believed in prayers to God to give them direction in their struggles.
He said, “We are even hearing the rumour that the management is going to subtract the 13 per cent that was negotiated since 2009 from the 50 per cent increment. “This is a lie, we cannot accept such a thing.
“It is not possible. Fifty per cent is 50 per cent as agreed with the government.
“From now, we are giving between 14 and 21 days as we used to do and if action is not taken, then we will withdraw our services.”
Speaking on the nomination of Nnaji, the chairman said the former Special Adviser to the President on Power was causing a lot of problems in the sector.
He said, “This is at the same time why we are here this morning to offer prayers for Almighty God to touch President Goodluck Jonathan’s heart not to appoint Nnaji as a power minister because he is not credible enough to run this sector.
“He is the one causing confusion between government and PHCN therefore, we don’t need him as a minister in the power sector.”
The Managing Director of PHCN, Mr. Hussein Labo, had said on Monday that though the union did not notify the management about the prayers, it was not the first time they were doing it.
He said, “Those in the control rooms, transmission stations are going to be in their office. It is only the less essential workers that will attend this prayer.
“Those in the distribution who distribute the power don’t join in the prayer so you will still see power coming in. Is not that they are going to shut down.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayPrior to the protest, which prevented people from performing their duties, the various unions had issued statements on the non-payment of their 50 per cent salary increment as well their disapproval of the perceived appointment of Prof Barth Nnaji as minister of Power.
The workers, who mobilised early on Tuesday, barricaded the main entrance of the head office where they closed the gate before proceeding with their prayers amid solidarity songs.
Speaking to journalists the FCT Chairman of NUEE, Mr. Lamee Obadaki, said since they had been battling with the government as far back as 2006,they always believed in prayers to God to give them direction in their struggles.
He said, “We are even hearing the rumour that the management is going to subtract the 13 per cent that was negotiated since 2009 from the 50 per cent increment. “This is a lie, we cannot accept such a thing.
“It is not possible. Fifty per cent is 50 per cent as agreed with the government.
“From now, we are giving between 14 and 21 days as we used to do and if action is not taken, then we will withdraw our services.”
Speaking on the nomination of Nnaji, the chairman said the former Special Adviser to the President on Power was causing a lot of problems in the sector.
He said, “This is at the same time why we are here this morning to offer prayers for Almighty God to touch President Goodluck Jonathan’s heart not to appoint Nnaji as a power minister because he is not credible enough to run this sector.
“He is the one causing confusion between government and PHCN therefore, we don’t need him as a minister in the power sector.”
The Managing Director of PHCN, Mr. Hussein Labo, had said on Monday that though the union did not notify the management about the prayers, it was not the first time they were doing it.
He said, “Those in the control rooms, transmission stations are going to be in their office. It is only the less essential workers that will attend this prayer.
“Those in the distribution who distribute the power don’t join in the prayer so you will still see power coming in. Is not that they are going to shut down.”
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