Adelabu resolves TCN, labour unions’ faceoff

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has urged staff of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) to embrace dialogue on issues of welfare and wages.

The minister made the appeal during a meeting with the aforementioned parties, advising the labour unions to be realistic in their demands for increased allowances. Adelabu’s intervention followed a renewed move by the workers to embark on industrial action over salary and allowance demands.

He also asked union members to consider the sensitivity of the industry to the country’s economy and the measures being taken by the Federal Government to improve working conditions for Nigerian workers.

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Adelabu specifically told union leaders that the government is not opposed to salary increases, but the nation’s dwindling revenue means workers need to be reasonable in their demands.

He said, “Nobody is against an increase in what you earn. You must enjoy yourself because that is why you are working, and when you are happy at your work, that is when you can give your maximum. So, you must be well remunerated.

“However, where we have found ourselves in our revenue earnings as a nation is such that we must be realistic in our demands. We must see this company as our own and work with the management to keep it moving. I want to appeal to you to stop this attitude of locking your management out at every turn of events. Let us embrace peace and work together for the good of the company and the development of our nation.

“The entire earnings of the company cannot be utilised for personnel costs alone. The company will be wrecked if we do that, and all of us will head back home when that happens.”

NUEE, represented by Opaluwa Eleojo and Dennis Ufene, and SSAEAC, represented by John Okoro and Solomon Kigbu, are demanding a 100 percent increase in salaries and allowances. The minister noted that such a move would raise the company’s wage bill to about N4 billion monthly, describing it as unsustainable.

Also in attendance were the Managing Directors of TCN, Engineer Abdul-Aziz Sule, and the MD of Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO), Engineer Mohammed Bello.