The House of Representatives passed a resolution
on Wednesday seeking to dialogue with the National Union of Electricity
Employees in a bid to stop the warning strike by workers in the power
sector.
It asked the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to “enter into dialogue” with the union over the issues agitating the workers.
The union had threatened to embark on a strike on Wednesday to protest the alleged non-implementation of 50 per cent salary increase workers in the power sector.
The House, however, believe that such a strike was unnecessary and costly for the nation as it could ground the economy completely.
The sponsor of the motion, Mr. Tajudeen Yusuf, told the House that the strike also had a link with the apprehension of the workers over the deregulation of the power sector.
The immediate Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, observed that “the 24-hour warning strike will cost us a lot of money.”
He said, “The greatest fear of these workers is the Federal Government’s plan to privatise the power sector.”
However, Ikhariale observed that the apprehension by the workers was needless as privatisation would lead to more jobs and competitive pay.
Citing the case of the deregulation of the telecommunications sector, Ikhariale argued that the workers would later appreciate the intention of government.
According to him, the power sector reform has come a long way “and we cannot at this stage begin to talk of abandoning it.”
Ikhariale recalled that deregulation started in 2002 with the splitting of the former National Electric Power Authority.
He added that the development gave birth to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and 18 other companies.
The lawmaker told the House that the essence of the dialogue was for both government and the union to resolve any pending issues in their negotiations.
By John Ameh Courtesy Of: Punch
It asked the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to “enter into dialogue” with the union over the issues agitating the workers.
The union had threatened to embark on a strike on Wednesday to protest the alleged non-implementation of 50 per cent salary increase workers in the power sector.
The House, however, believe that such a strike was unnecessary and costly for the nation as it could ground the economy completely.
The sponsor of the motion, Mr. Tajudeen Yusuf, told the House that the strike also had a link with the apprehension of the workers over the deregulation of the power sector.
The immediate Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, observed that “the 24-hour warning strike will cost us a lot of money.”
He said, “The greatest fear of these workers is the Federal Government’s plan to privatise the power sector.”
However, Ikhariale observed that the apprehension by the workers was needless as privatisation would lead to more jobs and competitive pay.
Citing the case of the deregulation of the telecommunications sector, Ikhariale argued that the workers would later appreciate the intention of government.
According to him, the power sector reform has come a long way “and we cannot at this stage begin to talk of abandoning it.”
Ikhariale recalled that deregulation started in 2002 with the splitting of the former National Electric Power Authority.
He added that the development gave birth to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and 18 other companies.
The lawmaker told the House that the essence of the dialogue was for both government and the union to resolve any pending issues in their negotiations.
By John Ameh Courtesy Of: Punch
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