Preparatory to the scheduled resumption of duty of the new management contractor of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Monday, July 30, 2012, officials of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Manitoba Hydro International yesterday met with staff of TCN at a familiarisation workshop.
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Accordingly, the workshop and briefing session, which was conducted by top officials of BPE and Canadian firm, Manitoba at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja was initiated to ensure a seamless operational transition to the management contractor and as well obtain the cooperation of staff of the utility.
It was also done to sensitise, allay the fears and secure the commitment of the staff in view of their hitherto vehement opposition to the three years management contract of TCN recently signed between the Federal Government and Manitoba Hydro International.
In accordance with terms of the contract, Manitoba is expected to within the period ensure seamless stabilisation of the grid system, reduce electricity losses during transmission, provide for the achievement of certain predetermined targets that would improve grid security and general performance as well as a reorientation of the management culture of TCN Nigerian staff.
They are also expected to make provisions for; reward and penalty clauses as incentives for success, efficient management of government investments in the process, adequate and equitable generation dispatch according to a fair merit order based on sound regulatory principles, assurance of fair market settlements between electricity traders and skills and expertise transfer to Nigerian counterparts who will serve in deputy and other positions to the management staff of the management contractor.
Although, the workshop was not open to the press,however it was gathered that, irrespective of the gesture and overture to win the staff of TCN to its new managers, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) was still apprehensive of government’s intentions as regards the settlement of outstanding labour issues in the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) from which TCN was carved out.
The North-central Zonal Organising Secretary of the union, Mr. Temple Iworima, who confirmed the attendance of workers at the workshop over the phone, stated that the union was yet to let go on its demands irrespective of the workshop, adding that it is keeping its fingers crossed while further negotiations are concluded.
The North-central Zonal Organising Secretary of the union, Mr. Temple Iworima, who confirmed the attendance of workers at the workshop over the phone, stated that the union was yet to let go on its demands irrespective of the workshop, adding that it is keeping its fingers crossed while further negotiations are concluded.
“Yes, it is just a workshop to familiarise with Manitoba. We have just finished and they talked to us on their expectations but that does not mean all is well; we are still insisting on our demands,” Iworima said on phone.
Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji had at the inception of labour protest over the Manitoba deal, stated that TCN was not privatised but contracted out for efficiency.
he also insisted that staff of the utility will not receive severance package.
Accordingly, TCN is one of the successor companies created from the unbundling of PHCN; it combines the functions of a transmission services provider, a system operator and a market operator, all of which are central to the sustainability and development of the electricity sector.
The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) had on March 26, 2012, approved that Manitoba move into the next stage in the process of selecting a management contractor for TCN; an agreement for a N3.72 billion ($23.72 million) transmission management contract was then signed by the government and Manitoba on July 23, 2012.
The company which was founded in 1961 is reported to be a major supplier of electric power and natural gas in the province of Manitoba, Canada and presently operates 15 interconnected generating stations. It has more than 527,000 electric power customers, and 263,000 natural gas customers with a total of 9,089 kilometres (km) of transmission lines throughout the province of Manitoba.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayThe company which was founded in 1961 is reported to be a major supplier of electric power and natural gas in the province of Manitoba, Canada and presently operates 15 interconnected generating stations. It has more than 527,000 electric power customers, and 263,000 natural gas customers with a total of 9,089 kilometres (km) of transmission lines throughout the province of Manitoba.
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