……..Cautions against Privatization of TCN
By ANDREW OJIEZEL
The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), has commended Federal Government for taking over the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), following the completion of a four-year management contract by Manitoba Hydro International (MHI), Canadian power firm.
In a letter written to President and Commander-In-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari over the development, SSAEAC however caution against privatization of TCN.
The President-General of SSAEAC, Comrade (Engr) Chris Okonkwo, and the Secretary-General, Comrade (Barr) Umar Dubagari who made this known in a statement, expressed joy that the government heeded the union’s advice not to renew the MHI’s management contract.
‘‘We commend the Federal Government for its decision not to renew the foreign management contract. It is a step in the right direction. It is our considered opinion that the Nigerian counterparts who worked closely with the 8-man MHI team during its four-year contract period and who now constitute the new management team, are well equipped to properly administer the affairs of the company.” the statement said.
ALSO SEE: Labour slams Manitoba over poor management of TCN
In addition, the Union proposed that the new management team can be reconstituted to ensure that professionals without “baggage” administered the hub of the power sector. This is acknowledgement of the fact that some Nigerians in the team have questionable background and intentions.
SSAEAC further advised the government not think of privatization of TCN, as some self-seeking and portfolio carrying business men and women have started campaigning. This is because the mistake of privatization of generation and distribution parts of the power sector is getting worse. Instead, the union advised government to look into many reasons militating against TCN which includes poor payment for services rendered to distribution companies and poor budgetary provisions for expansion projects.
It would be recalled that MHI management contractors won the bid to manage TCN in April 2012, for an initial three-year period, subject to renewal. The contract was signed on June 16, 2012, while MHI commenced work on July 1, 2012. The three year contract expired in 2015 and was renewed in a controversial circumstance for another one year up to the end of July, 2016. Noting that Manitoba deceived FG to get the last extension of its tenure, SSAEAC in swift reaction, fought against the renewing of the tenure, as a result, government heeded the call of SSAEAC and refused to give Manitoba another chance.