‘Low Water Level Affects Electricity Generation’

Maryam Ahmadu-Suka

29 June 2011

Kaduna — The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) Kaduna Chapter yesterday attributed the epileptic electricity supply in Kaduna to low water level at the hydro-electricity dams in the country.

The Asstistant General-Secretary of the union, Moses Amedu told the news men in Kaduna that the reserved water that would have enabled the company to provide electricity throughout the year was used during the April elections.

“This is part of the ploy by politicians to make people believe that electricity situation in the country would be stable,” he said.

PHCN workers nationwide declared yesterday as “Work to rule” day to conduct special prayers on issues concerning power sector and the implementation of the 50 per cent salary increment.

Also speaking, Mr Reuben Orlu, the union’s Head of Information and Research, called on the government to consider workers position who are stakeholders in the power project.

“The union vehemently opposed the appointment of Prof Barth Nnaji as minister of Power or his being given any position in the power sector,” he said.

He said that Nnaji’s interest conflicted with the yearnings of PHCN staff in resolving the lingering crisis in the sector.

He said that Nnaji who owned Aba Power Ltd and Geometrics Power was yet to start generating electricity despite the license given to him to generate, transmit and distribute electricity since 2005.

Orlu also stated that Nnaji did nothing to improve on electricity situation in the country, adding that he had irreconcilable differences with workers during his tenure as the Adviser to the president on power.

He called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to give Nnaji any responsibility in the sector, adding that members of the union would take action if given the appointment.

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