06 April 2013, Lagos – There are indications that workers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, have stopped services to Nigerian Air Force formations nationwide over alleged brutality and torture of workers of PHCN, Ibadan Zone by men of the force.
Organised labour in the power sector had issued an April 2 deadline to the Air Force to accept responsibility and apologise for the assault on workers by its men (names withheld) or power supply to all Air Force installations nationwide would be cut.
It would be recalled that the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, petitioned the Commandant of Nigeria Air force, Ipetu-Ijesa and copied the Director of Department of State Securities, DSS and Secretary to Osun State Government, over the alleged brutalisation of PHCN workers on March 9.
Under the umbrella of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, labour had threatened to stop power supply to South-West zone as well, but it was gathered that some traditional rulers in Osun State pleaded that civilians should be spared.
It was gathered that at the expiration of the ultimatum, some men suspected to be from Air Force, Ipetu-Ijesa, allegedly prevented PHCN workers from gaining access to their stations.
*Victor Ahiuma-Young, Vanguard