The payment of benefits to former staff of PHCN was expected to culminate in industrial harmony and create a conducive environment for the takeoff of the operations of the privatised GENCOs and DISCOs. CHIDI UGWU reports that the payment is still engulfed in controversies, creating tension and low productivity in the sector.
With the successful completion of the sale of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN assets, many observers expected improved industrial relations, capable of leading to increased power generation, transmission and distribution. The reasons were not farfetched. First, the government had made available funds for settlement. Second, there were series of engagements between labour leaders and many government officials.
But this was not to be. The staging protests in recent times show that all is not well with the emerging sector. In other words, the arguments between labour and government over delay in payment of the ex-workers entitlements clearly show that the government and the union leaders have not yet been able to resolve the various issues. They also give impression that the development may lead to yet another labour crisis and a sharp drop in electricity supply.
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