Power workers threaten national blackout unless Transmission Company of Nigeria boss is sacked

NIGERIA is facing the prospect of a nationwide blackout after electricity workers threatened to shut down power unless the federal government sacks Usman Mohammed the managing director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN).

Incensed with the actions of Mr Mohammed, the workers, under the auspices of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), have accused him of high handedness and anti-labour practices. Consequently, the union threatened to ground the entire power structure in the country if the government refuses to heed its advice to relieve the managing director of his appointment.

Among other things, the workers alleged that under Mr Mohammed, the TCN is responsible for administrative irregularities and high handedness. On April 1 2004, the TCN emerged from the defunct National Electric Power Authority, following the merger of the Transmission and Operations sectors.

TCN represents one of the 18 unbundled business units under the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and was issued a transmission licence on July, 1, 2006. This development prompted workers of the organisation to picket the TCN premises where they disrupted vehicular and commercial activities for several hours.

SSAEAC general secretary, Umar Abubakar, accused Mr Mohammed of flouting most of the administrative procedures, which they claimed were inimical to their welfare. According to them, the managing director allegedly single-handedly conducted examinations for staff due for promotion without recourse to input from other management staff.

They alleged that Mr Mohammed had defaulted in remitting taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, a development that also led to the sealing of the organisation even before the workers staged their protest. In addition, the workers also claimed the managing director had hijacked some funds provided by the World Bank for projects in the power sector, including his alleged interference in union activities by his attempt to polarise the union.

They also alleged that the managing director cleared a large consignment of electrical materials from foreign donors at the ports but failed to deliver same to the warehouse of the organisation for proper accountability, before distribution to the relevant sections. In addition, the protesters said efforts by the labour minister Chris Ngige and his counterpart in the ministry of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, to intervene in the matter, proved abortive as Mr Mohammed failed to turn up for several meetings.