Don’t Go On Strike – Jonathan Begs PHCN Workers

President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN), to shelve any planned industrial action over their severance package.

The president said concerted effort was being made by government to complete the payments for affected workers in the power privatisation exercise.

President Jonathan who made the plea yesterday in Ondo state where he commissioned the Omotosho II, 540MW ( megawatts) electricity power generating plant built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHC), said since government was committed to ensuring all labour issues were genuinely treated, it would be unfortunate for them to embark on such a strike.

He said the inauguration of the plant was a clear testimony of government’s commitment towards transforming the power sector stressing that by middle of next year, Nigerians would begin to enjoy significant supply of electricity.

The president disclosed that several initiatives have been put in place to ensure that progress attained in the on-going transformation exercise was sustained and improved upon.

“By first quarter of next year, all power stations constructed under the Integrated Power Project (IPP) driven by NDPHC would be commissioned”, he assured, adding that thereafter, such stations would be privatised to allow the private sector run them efficiently.

He also said the Electricity Bulk Trader has been capitalised with $750 million to enable it execute its mandate while the Electricity Liability Company was to be fully supported in the interest of sustaining the reform.

The President said much attention would be given to the Transmission sector as it was key in ensuring that power generated from the various power plants are adequately distributed.

Earlier, the minister of power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, commended government efforts toward stabilising electricity supply saying that currently, the country is generating about 4,500 megawatts.

Nebo said, the IPP was significantly supporting generation capacity and that its contribution stood at 1,600 megawatts.

The minister said the federal government would support Ondo state government by ensuring the completion of on-going transmission projects in the state to enable uninterrupted wheeling of power generated from the Omotosho plant.

On his part, the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, appealed to the president to give priority to completion of on-going transmission projects in the state.



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