Oshiomhole backs sale of PHCN

[DT]

Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday urged labour leaders to support ongoing reforms in the power sector.

Oshiomhole said he was constrained to speak the truth to his colleagues because he had made the same mistake in the past when as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) he opposed privatisation. Speaking in Benin at the opening ceremony of the 9th Delegates Conference of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the governor said even he opposed privatisation, he backed that of the power sector in particular.

Special Adviser to the Minister of Power, Mr C. Don Adinuba, quoted Oshiomhole as saying "I support privatisation; I support the reform."

NUEE is opposing the ongoing privatisation of 17 Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies.

The Governor asked his erstwhile trade union colleagues to think through their current opposition to the reform and adopt a strategy that will benefit workers of PHCN and the Nigerian people.

"It is high time union leaders (in the sector) eschewed selfish interest and embrace public interest for public welfare. This convention must therefore show the true character of the union ideal which among other things improves the quality of lives of its members and the general citizenry."

Gov. Oshiomhole implored the Secretary General of NUEE, Mr. Joe Ajaero, to think first of the welfare of workers he is leading and the interest of the Nigerian people.

DailyTrust