PHCN workers protest over entitlements

Some retired workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria ( PHCN) protested yesterday over non-payment of their entitlements and allowances.

In a Channels Television report last night, the workers under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) protested at the former PHCN headquarters housing the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Abuja.

The report said the former workers were protesting non payment of allowances for about 16 months adding that government is still owing the death benefits owed families of their late colleagues.

NUEE’s General Secretary, Comrade Joe Ajaero urged the federal government to settle the entitlements and address the issue of power shortage.

The union’s Zonal Organsing Secretary, Comrade Temple Iworima was also reported to have criticised the planned takeover of the corporate headquarters by the mother Ministry without clearing the entitlements.

When contacted, the Deputy Director of Press in the Ministry of Power, Timothy Oyedeji confirmed the protest saying, “More than 90percent of them have been paid. There is even a list we are working on now on those that they have cleared. I have it right on my desk.”

Meanwhile Kande Daniel, the Media Assistant to the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo said TCN was notified of the headquarters takeover.

She said, “As soon as Mr President approved Ministry’s movement to PHCN building, TCN was notified in writing, to co-occupy with Ministry pending getting a new place.

“It is untrue that 8,000 workers are unpaid. I will try get documents on this and workers’ settlement issue this week,” Kande reacted.