Nigerian army takes over public power facilities

Nigerian army takes over public power facilities

The National Union of Electricity Employees deplored the Nigerian government’s deployment of troops on 14 November to guard public power company installations nationwide. They described the action as irrational, considering that talks are still ongoing over the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

The union asked its members to embark on peaceful demonstrations across the states to protest military occupation of the public power facilities. NUEE President Mansur Musa said the peaceful marches are intended to protest the non-payment of the 50 percent salary increment since June, as well as the harassment of union members by security officials.

“They have been detaining and releasing our members; this cannot continue. We will continue to protest peacefully until the soldiers are removed,” he said.

Musa described as false the government’s claim that troops were deployed to guard installations against terrorist attacks by the Islamic sect Boko Haram. The union alleged that government deployed troops to ensure that the privatisation sale of the PHCN is pushed through.

Photos on protests (Flickr)

UK Advises another Bidding Round for PHCN Assets (This Day Live)