Stop Labour from shutting down power sector, NECA appeals to FG

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG LAGOS — NIGERIA Employers Consultative Association, NECA, weekend called on the Federal Government to wade into the dispute between organized labour and electricity distribution companies to avoid worsening not only the power station in the country, but also, the Nigerian economy. At a briefing in Lagos, Director General of NECA, Mr. Segun Oshinowo, warned that shutting down or picketing the distribution companies as threatened by the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, as was the case of Jos Electricity Distribution Company, would further worsen the economic situation of this country. Oshinowo implored the union to follow the laid down procedures in resolving industrial disputes in the country, arguing that the way to go was not the way of impunity, not picketing or strike. Reacting to the recent shut down of Jos Electricity Distribution Company following the threat by NUEE to begin a picketing of the electricity distribution companies over alleged anti-labour practices among others, Oshinowo reasoned that what the union did with the support of the state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, was a display of “wanton impunity in the name of industrial relations.” NECA Director-General insisted that every responsible and well meaning institution in this country should respect the rule of law in the pursuit of its mandate, warning that “failure to do that will simply create a state of anarchy. When we have a state of anarchy, anything could happen from that point onward.” NUEE had Tuesday last week, threatened to begin to picket the distribution companies over alleged anti-labour practices including de-unionsation and causalisation of workers. He said “The action of the union is completely out of place. It is a wanton display of impunity in the name of industrial relations.