Ngige charges electricity workers on industrial peace

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has called on workers in the power sector to join hands to advance the country by guaranteeing industrial peace.

Noting that the role of trade union in socio-economic development was of great importance to nation-building, he charged the workers to maintain industrial harmony as a prerequisite for sustainable development and economic growth.

Ngige gave the charge in his address during the 5th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) held in Abuja.

Represented by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Tilda Mmegwa, Ngige said peace in power sector was essential for the overall development of the country.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Partnering for higher productivity and industrial peace,’ Ngige said: “Undoubtedly, industrial peace in our National Industrial Relations System (NIRS) is an important building block to achieve higher productivity considered as a prerequisite for sustainable development and economic growth as part of the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The performance and/or non performance of your sector are immediately felt by the society even to the level of the smallest household unit.”

Minister of Power (State), Goddy Agba, in his address harped on the importance of peaceful relationship between the government and the union.

He urged the workers to learn from the mistakes of the past, stressing that both government and workers are responsible for what happens in the sector.

“I hope that the union will work along with the goverment to improve situation in the sector. God says let there be light, it’s an instruction from God, hence, people should ensure that there’s light for the economy and nation to grow.

“We must look back to correct our mistakes, the labour slogan is ‘forward ever’, but we are yet to get to the future that we aspire, we still have a long way to go. But we can achieve our desired future if we learn from the mistakes of the past,” he said.

In his address, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Quadri Olaleye, represented by President of Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Dr. Ogbonna Chimela, said to enhance the effectiveness of power service delivery in Nigeria, certain steps needed to be followed by relevant stakeholders, which include addressing crucial issues in the gas-to-power value chain around, pricing and allocation given its prominence in current energy mix; reworking the current governance structure and enhancing system credibility; instituting market friendly regulations around pricing structure and mini-grid initiatives and encouraging efficient and lawful consumption of electricity,” he said.

Earlier in his address, the outgoing President of SSAEAC, Chris Okonkwo, highlighted various achievements during his tenure, which cuts across members’ welfare, restoration of the dignity and influence of the union to economically position the union through various investments.