…Demand reversal of TCN MD’s sack
OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — Protesting workers of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Wednesday seized the ‘Power House’, the corporate headquarters of the Ministry of Power, which also houses the TCN, over the removal of Usman Gur Mohammed as managing director of the company.
Mr. Mohammed was sacked by the Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman on Tuesday night.
Protesters, under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, and the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, TCN branch, barricaded the entrance to the building, permitting only partial office activities as they accused the minister of high handedness and failure to follow due process in sacking Mr. Mohammed.
They threaten to paralyse transmission operations across the nation over the matter.
Some top officials, who arrived the house early prior to the protest were locked inside the complex while others were not allowed entry, withe protesters demanding a reversal of the sack by the minister.
Minister of Power Mamman had Tuesday night, through a statement, sacked Mohammed and appointing Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz as the Acting Managing Director.
The statement entitled, ‘Reorganisation/New Appointments at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)’, read in parts: “As part of continuing measures to reposition and improve the performance of the power sector in the country, the Honorable Minister of Power Engr. Sale Mamman hereby announces major changes at the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
Protesters storm power ministry/TCN over director’s sack
“Accordingly, the Managing Director of the TCN, Usman Gur Mohammed has been removed from office with immediate effect. He is being replaced with Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, as Managing Director, in acting capacity.
“The Minister has also confirmed the appointment of four directors who have been on acting position in the company for some time.
“They are; Engt. Victor G. Adewumi. Executive Director, Transmission Services Provider; Engr. M. J. Lawal, Executive Director, Independent Systems Operator; Ahmed lsa-Dutse, Executive Director, Finance & Accounts and Justin l. Dodo, Executive Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services.”
According to the minister, all the changes and appointments were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
