By Eberechi Obinagwam
National Union of Electricity Employees, (NUEE) has expressed worry over what they described as unguided utterances by the Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo.
In a release by the AG, General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike said rather than the minister embarking on a Media frenzy to misinform Nigerians and openly threaten workers in the Sector, he should be concerned with outstanding issues like the refusal to issue prepaid meters to Nigerians who are being compelled to pay imposed crazy bills; while having less than 4,500mw output of electricity, refusal of most Generation Companies (GenCos) led by Egbin Power Plc who have flagrantly disobeyed all extant Labour laws since taking over in November 2013 and non-payment of 16 months arrears arising from severance; just to mention a few.
According to the release, the minister since his assumption in office has not deemed it necessary to reach out to critical Stakeholders in the Power Sector, with a view towards engendering effective collaboration, optimising productivity and increasing Power output and impeccable Industrial Relations atmosphere required to achieve them.
Rather, he has embarked on a Media frenzy to misinform Nigerians and openly threaten workers in the Sector.
Clearing off the air over his ulterances, the union said, “It is on record that the Power Sector had not experienced any System collapse in over 400 days due to the industrious and hard-working members that make up the Workforce.
“The Honourable Minister should be guided to the effect that the Power Sector did not experience any System collapse during the two (2) days warning Strike declared across the nation by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which we are affiliated to.
He should be educated to the effect that he cannot decree Strike out of existence. But the Minister has decided to play to the gallery; like some of his predecessors, by promising thousands of megawatts without any Roadmaps to achieving them. You cannot build something on nothing,” the statement reads.
“In order to achieve impeccable improvements and rejuvenate the Power Sector, it is expedient that the Federal Government puts round pegs in round holes and not Appointees whose qualifications are Political considerations,” the union advised in the statement.
The union however gave the Minister of power two weeks ultimatum to address the outstanding issues or should preoccupy himself with recruiting NSA officials to run the sector.
