JETHRO IBILEKE/Benin
Members of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEC) and the junior workers grouped under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) clashed this morning in Benin over the transfer of the PHCN to its new owners.
The clash culminated in the locking up of the Akpakpava Road headquarters of Electricity Distribution Company of PHCN in Benin by members of the NUEE who barricaded the entrance into the building as early as 7 am.
A member of the SSAEC allegedly sustained serious injuries in the fracas and was taken to an undisclosed clinic for treatment.
A cameraman of Independent Television, Benin was roughly manhandled and his camera slightly damaged.
General Secretary of NUEE, Comrade Joseph Ndem, accused members of the SSAEC of conniving with management of the PHCN to short-change their members in the transfer of the company to the new investors.
“It is an issue of labour. We have issued notice to the management of PHCN that we are going to shutdown services until all the issues are addressed. By the time we came out to carry out the directive, our sister union also came up to tell us that we have no right to lock the office. It was on that premise that an arguement ensued and it degenerated into scuffle.”
He said all offices of the PHCN in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states controlled by the Benin office would continue to be under lock and keys until their grievances are addressed.
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