Minister intervenes in Manitoba, workers face-off

[TGD]

 • Assures no one would be sacked

DESPITE the issuance of a schedule of delegated authority that enables it take over the running of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on behalf of the Federal Government; Manitoba Hydro International is still battling to take over TCN offices, The Guardian has learnt.

In an interview with The Guardian last week, new Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Don Priestman has called attention to 'minor certain issues' that were still pending. He declined to give details of the issues.

But The Guardian confirmed Thursday that the firm was chased out of the PHCN building and prevented from taking over by electricity workers.

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who got wind of the development yesterday, summoned a meeting between the new management of TCN and labour unions where explanations were made on Manitoba's mission in Nigeria.

Nebo explained that the role of Manitoba Hydro International in the running of the nation's transmission network and said it is that of delegated authority given to a management outfit with international clout, for a stipulated period of three to five years.

He stressed that the clarification had become necessary in order to erase the impression being created especially among workers PHCN and labour unions that Manitoba has already taken position as Concessionaires of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Nebo enjoined the Manitoba management to respect the rights of Nigerian workers as entrenched in the law of the land, while in turn, the workers should work with Manitoba, so as to take the power sector to the next level, with the required international bias, which the company is known for.

Stressing that TCN is still 100 per cent wholly owned by the government, he stressed that there won't be sacking of workers.

His words: "There is not going to be lay-off. Management is done through agreement. Let there be no one fear.  Manitoba Hydro International is under the Board of TCN, which is turn under the Power Ministry.

Don Priestsman urged labour to join hands with his colleagues in the company, as competent hands and determination are what would help all actors solve the challenges faced in the sector.

His words: "We need to co-operate. We have to work, so as to make productive reform for the power sector work."

He spoke of the determination of the new management to contribute its bit in the quest of building a viable company that everyone would be proud of, hence no need for any apprehension from labour. "We are not here for any ulterior motive," Priestsman assured.

Representative of the workers, Joe Ajaero, promised the commitment of labour to making privatisation work.

He added, however, that labour would not sit on the fence and watch its members being short charged.

He accused past governments of failing to address genuine concerns of labour, noting: "A situation where-in a worker who has worked for 30 years, is now transferred to a new company, and you are now saying he would be paid by the new company must be compensated before the process is completed.  He must be adequately compensated, otherwise it is unacceptable to labour."



The Guardian

[Folami David]

That was the best thing for the minister to do. Intevening in the matter was due enough. I hope it all gets resolved