We are pleased with the forced exit of Prof. Bart Nnaji who until last night was a major problem to renewed effort aimed at reactivating the power sector having compromised the Office of the Honourable Minister of Power with his personal business interests, and being oblivious and a stumbling block to industrial peace and harmony in the industry.
Reports are already in the public domain on Prof. Nnaji’s record of financial recklessness, high handedness and diversion of major businesses meant for PHCN to his private companies as well as companies he has vested interests.
While we welcome his long awaited exit, we call on President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately institute a thorough investigation into his tenure as minister in the Power Ministry.
We also call on Mr. President to create an atmosphere of fairness and justice for speedy resolution of all outstanding labour matters in the process of disengaging some PHCN employees, which Prof. Nnaji stalled before his exit.
The contentious issue of severance benefits is never an issue that cannot be resolved through dialogue, but Nnaji chosed to heat up the system by blocking every avenue for dialogue and invited armed military personnel to intimidate workers under spurious pretences.
We believe the ongoing dialogue between labour and government will resolve these issues as quickly as possible if government is willing to accept meaningful dialogue in appreciation of the Condition of Service of the workers.
Chris Uyot
Ag General Secretary