Electricity workers under the aegis of the National Union of
Electricity Employees (NUEE) have given a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal
Government to implement the agreement they signed last month with the
government.
Its General Secretary, Mr Joe Ajaero, spoke to journalists
at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos.
Ajaero said that if after the ultimatum the issues were not
addressed, the union would resume its suspended industrial action without
further consultation.
The General Secretary accused Minister of State for Power,
Goddy Agba, of harassment and intimidation during the meeting held on January
27.
Ajaero said that some of the issues pending included,
non-payment of over 2000 disengaged PHCN staff; 16 months underpayment of
severance benefits as well as 7.5 per cent pension component among others.
“We observed that when the first item was raised on update
from BPE at the meeting, the BPE boss was absent at the meeting; we then
advised that the matter be stepped down for other items to be discussed.
“This infuriated the Honorable Minister of State for Power,
who said he took exception to that, threatening that he is in control and
competent to discuss on the BPE issue.
“When he was now called upon to provide information and
update on the BPE and payment/verification of staff of Ex-PHCN, he could not.
“At that point, he banged the table, stood up and started
shouting on top of his voice which attracted security personnel who jumped into
the meeting and threatened to beat us up. He quickly announced that the meeting
has been suspended and adjourned indefinitely.
“The union stayed back as a display of maturity and retired
to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Minister of Power, where another
meeting took place between the Union and the Permanent Secretary of Power till
8:30 pm on other issues amicably on the same day.
“In view of this un-ministerial behaviour of the Minister of
State, Power, the union wishes to demand as follows: an unreserved apology from
the Minister of State (Power) for humiliation, intimidation, harassment and
abuse of privilege, thereby undermining the interest of the workers in the
sector.
“That within 14 days, all the issues agreed upon at the meeting
on December 11, 2019 should be implemented without further delay. If not, the
union will resume its suspended industrial action of December 11, 2019,” he
warned.
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