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Friday, November 12, 2010

Soldiers Caused Blackout, Say PHCN Workers

Workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have said the presence of armed military personnel at its installations is responsible for the current power outages being experienced in some parts of the country even as the trade unions had called off their warning strike.
Speaking under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) yesterday, the workers explained that the continued occupation by military personnel deployed by the Federal Government in PHCN installations was counter productive and affecting the psyche of workers who were being intimidated and harassed by the soldiers.
General Secretary of NUEE, Comrade Joe Ajaero, called on relevant authorities to immediately withdraw the military officers to enable the workers to return fully to their base and continue their operations without undue intimidation and harassment.
Ajaero named the power stations currently occupied by military officers to include Egbin Power Station, Ikeja West Power Station, Ayede Power Station in Ibadan, Oyo State, Benin Power Station, Kano Zonal Office, Kainji and Jebba Power Stations and Gomo Power Stations in Kwara State.  
A statement made available to THISDAY reads in part: “Immediately organised labour called off its warning strike to compel the Federal Government to implement the N18.000 new minimum wage on Wednesday, armed military personnel were dispatched to PHCN installations nationwide, allegedly on the orders of President Jonathan.
“It has become expedient to explain to the public why electric power supply has not been fully restored to some parts of the country after the warning strike by NLC has been called off. At the end of the strike action, armed military personnel were dispatched to PHCN installations nationwide, arguably on the orders of the President - Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“The armed military men's continued occupation of PHCN installations and intimidation of PHCN staff even after the supposed three (3) days warning strike by the NLC had been called-off is affecting the psyche of the workers and would be counter productive in a normal working environment.  Besides, the soldiers are equally indulged in undue harassment and intimidation of the innocent and vulnerable workers who are emotionally traumatised at their presence.
“It is therefore regrettable to inform the public on the seeming delay in fully restoring electric power supply to some parts of the country.  This is actually caused by the presence of these armed military personnel in those affected areas.
We therefore demand and appeal to the relevant authorities to immediately withdraw these armed military personnel to enable the workers return fully to their base and continue their operations without undue intimidation and harassment. We promise to restore full supply the moment these intruders are withdrawn from our installations nationwide.  However, should the harassment and intimidation continue, we may be forced to review our position.”
Meanwhile, irked by the deplorable state of the nation’s power sector, Nigerians have said they are willing to pay for improved service delivery should they be supplied with power for the periods and duration of their preferences.
The availability of power remains the most important priority in power supply, irrespective of who the supplier is, according to a poll.
In a survey titled: “Nigerian Power Sector Poll” conducted by NOI Polls, an opinion polling and market research organisation in Nigeria, they said the deplorable state of the nation’s power sector had continued, despite efforts by successive administrations to address the power supply problem.
The survey, which was conducted in three waves between June and September 2010, revealed “the nation’s poor track record in this critical area continues to attract deep public concern over the inadequacy of supply which has persisted in spite of the well advertised efforts of successive governments to improve the poor level of generation and distribution”.
The research agency also stated that “previous surveys by NOI Polls have shown that most Nigerians would like to see governments at all levels to focus on achieving a significant improvement in the current poor and irregular level of electricity supply which has persisted for so long”.
About 96 per cent of Nigerians would gladly pay more if supply improves to the degree they want, the survey further revealed.
The highest proportion of respondents (42 per cent) said they preferred night time supply.
“Comparatively, 25 per cent said they prefer 24-hour supply; 14 per cent opted for some hours during each period. Another key finding is that three out of four Nigerians (75 per cent) consider availability of supply the most important priority in power supply. 18 per cent ranked predictable supply as their most important priority while 6 per cent put customer service ahead of other considerations. Significantly, price was the least important consideration in the estimation of the respondents with only 1 per cent giving it a thumbs-up,” the survey stressed.
Assessing the impact of the poll, the survey stated that “most Nigerians would prefer 24-hour uninterrupted power supply. Majority of Nigerians would consider paying more than current prices if they are supplied with power for the periods and duration of their preference”.

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