The electricity workers noted that Adelabu should be concerned with outstanding issues bedevilling the sector.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has chided the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, over his conduct since being sworn in.
In a statement on Monday signed by the acting general secretary of NUEE, Dominic Igwebike, the union said Adelabu had yet to reach out to stakeholders since assuming office, but had been threatening electricity workers.
The statement said, “We are worried at the public display of ignorance by the newly appointed Honourable Minister of Power – Mr. Adelabu Adebayo, since his assumption of office.
“It is unfortunate that since his assumption of office, the Honourable Minister has not deemed it necessary to reach out to critical Stakeholders in the Power Sector, with a view towards engendering effective collaboration, optimizing 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. 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.
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“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.
“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 electricity workers noted that Adelabu should “be concerned with outstanding issues which include: 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.”
“Should the Honourable Minister fail to address these issues within two (2) weeks, he should preoccupy himself with recruiting NSA Officials to run the Sector,” the statement added.