Tuesday, July 20, 2010
[size=14pt]Electricity workers frustrate Jonathan's plans for power sector[/size]

Martin Ayankola


Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc's workers are preventing the Professor Barth Nnaji-led Presidential Task Force on Power from discharging some of its duties, our correspondent has learnt.




http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jul/20/806.html

It was gathered on Monday that although Nnaji's committee wanted to have an office in PHCN's headquarters in Abuja, the workers prevented it from doing so, as they barred members of the committee from the headquarters.

An attempt by Nnaji's team to also inspect PHCN's facilities in Lagos on Friday was met with stiff resistance by the workers, who allegedly drove the members from the Ijora facilities.

It was also gathered that the workers had physically prevented members of the committee from entering the company's facilities at the Ikeja Distribution Zone.

"We had bought bags of sachet water, with which we would have drenched him, if he had been bold enough to show his face at the Ikeja Distribution Zone,"one of the National Union of Electricity Employees' leaders told to our correspondent on Friday.

All attempts to get Nnaji to comment on the situation proved abortive, as he told our correspondent on the telephone that he could only be available for comments on Thursday.

PHCN should be dissolved and privatized. The employees are as corrupt as the politicians themselves. All they do is steal and embezzle. The heads of PHCN should be probed for theft, and the company dissolved. It is just a relic of a company that cannot perform, too much corruption. A country like Nigeria should not be in the dark if you have professionals in position and not thieves.

I remember they did the same to Bola Ige when Obasanjo appointed him to the power ministry. He resigned in less than 30 days after promising the nation that he will turn stone into bread. It was later gathered that NEPA officials were sabotaging all his efforts to improve our energy situation.

Joe should sack the bunch of incompetent PHCN fools!Nonsense!

I know it will come to this. Change management always difficult. It is even worse in Nigeria because of corrupt these corrupt Nepa officials.

I don't get the point of the article, are we meant to feel sympathy for the government and see this as a reasonable excuse to give for no progress in implementation of power sector reforms? What on earth are the police there for? The excuse holds no water and the president better not revert to the old "there is a cabal" trite. He is the commander in chief of the armed forces of the federal republic of Nigeria. No group of people should be allowed to stop the rest from developing.

It will be an understatement to pretend that Goodluck jonathan is not aware of the constant sabotage by Ministries in Nigeria espically in the power sector.  Corruption thrives on this as all funds are swallowed up by this massive black void. So tell me why wont PHCN prevent external officals.  What Jonathan needs to do is to deploy military personnel to escort the officals and tell me if the sites wont be inspected. 

If we must have change, heads must roll  - The whole lot needs to rooted out. why cant Mr Jonathan impose 2 year ban on Nepa - abi he is fearing Fifa as well.


To Change the evil ways of doing things in Nigeria . we need a proactive and aggressive president who is not afraid to step on toes and Jonathan is not the one it is business as usual for him and his crooked partners . ANother 4 years gone down the drain.

Sky Blue:

I don't get the point of the article, are we meant to feel sympathy for the government and see this as a reasonable excuse to give for no progress in implementation of power sector reforms? What on earth are the police there for? The excuse holds no water and the president better not revert to the old "there is a cabal" trite. He is the commander in chief of the armed forces of the federal republic of Nigeria. No group of people should be allowed to stop the rest from developing.

This is why no pragmatic Nigerian will cast a vote for Jonathan. He simply does not have the political will , integrity, single-mindedness and bravery required to implement badly needed reforms. He can talk the talk all he wants but he will never be able to walk the walk haven sold his soul , like Yar Adua, to the numerous godfathers/kingmakers who profit from the way Nigeria is.

Femi Otedola is one of the Chief sponsors of Jonathan's campaign. Why would one of Nigeria's diesel barons sponsor a President he genuinely believes can hurt his business and pocket in future? What was responsible for Yar Adua's insane and internationally disgraceful protection of Ibori if not that Yardy felt he 'owed' a favor to the main sponsor of his election campaign? Nigerians should wake up and smell the Coffee before it is too late . Even Buhari would make a far better President than Jonathan because the former General does not 'jump in bed' with ruinous hands merely to actualise a political ambition.

We had bought bags of sachet water, with which we would have drenched him, if he had been bold enough to show his face at the Ikeja Distribution Zone,"one of the National Union of Electricity Employees' leaders told to our correspondent on Friday

would he have said that if it was a privately owned company?
reason nigeria railway is in same position 2day.

blacksta:



To Change the evil ways of doing things in Nigeria . we need a proactive and aggressive president who is not afraid to step on toes and Jonathan is not the one it is business as usual for him and his crooked partners . ANother 4 years gone down the drain.

Indeed. Is it not instructive that , come 2011 , Jonathan will make a woeful President  (probably far worse than Yar Adua )with how Mr. President is surrounding himself with disgraced and discredited folks like Aondoakaa, Alamayeiseigha, Danjuma et al ? Anyone desperate enough to enlist the help of those who have ruined Nigeria for the sake of a Presidential win will be a bad President 100%  gauranteed !!!!! We saw how Yar Adua shouted cabal all day long yet he was unable to dismantle any of them so that Nigeria can make progress !!! Contradictory to his talks Yar Adua was busy promoting many who only understand cabal-style behaviour into sensitive position like Anenih as NPA boss !!!!! We will get "more of the same" with Jonathan i.e all talk and plenty of excuses for inaction .

Can Nigerians tell me that Jonathan will accept Femi Otedola's funds for his election campaign and yet move against the head (Otedola) of the biggest diesel Mafia in Nigeria after he becomes President ?

Gbawe:

This is why no pragmatic Nigerian will cast a vote for Jonathan. He simply does not have the political will , integrity, single-mindedness and bravery required to implement badly needed reforms. He can talk the talk all he wants but he will never be able to walk the walk haven sold his soul , like Yar Adua, to the numerous godfathers/kingmakers who profit from the way Nigeria is.

Femi Otedola is one of the Chief sponsors of Jonathan's campaign. Why would one of Nigeria's diesel barons sponsor a President he genuinely believes can hurt his business and pocket in future? What was responsible for Yar Adua's insane and internationally disgraceful protection of Ibori if not that Yardy felt he 'owed' a favor to the main sponsor of his election campaign? Nigerians should wake up and smell the Coffee before it is too late . Even Buhari would make a far better President than Jonathan because the former General does not 'jump in bed' with ruinous hands merely to actualise a political ambition.

I don't know about the next elections, he certainly hasn't done enough to justify me voting for him, but there is still time (and I say it in hope). At least we have seen more progress in the last couple of months than we saw in the three years of Yar Adua. Electoral reform has been passed by congress, Iwu has been replaced, Jonathan has signed the oil and gas industry local content bill (which I think is an important one). He seems to be able to listen to the public too (in some degree), so I think the people can get something out of him before the next elections (if they push for it).

Sky Blue:

I don't know about the next elections, he certainly hasn't done enough to justify me voting for him, but there is still time (and I say it in hope). At least we have seen more progress in the last couple of months than we saw in the three years of Yar Adua. Electoral reform has been passed by congress, Iwu has been replaced, Jonathan has signed the oil and gas industry local content bill (which I think is an important one). He seems to be able to listen to the public too (in some degree), so I think the people can get something out of him before the next elections (if they push for it).

My brother , it is all minimal window  dressing !!!!! Iwu has being replaced because the USA insisted on it in return for supporting Jonathan publicly. Will Jega be allowed to work honestly? The INEC boss said there will be a "credible electoral register" in place for 2011. After a 'meeting' with Jonathan we now understand that INEC will be relying on Iwu's discredited and PDP-biased register for next years elections !!!

As for the the signed oil and gas industry local content bill , nothing good will come out of it , as analysts and interest groups have surmised , if the enforcement , supervisory guidance and implementation will be botched due to corruption , lack of political sincerity and absence of unflinching political will . there is also the huge risk of the hijacking of good intentions by the political bedfellows of Jonathan to include an Individual (Danjuma) who made so much many from oil blocs he was actually at a loss on how to spend the money !!!!


http://allafrica.com/stories/201004270637.html

For his part, President of the Trade Union Congress [TUC],Comrade Peter Esele told Daily Trust that the new law is good on paper but would be better if the government can guarantee its enforcement and implementation.

I too wanted to give Jonathan the benefit of the doubt but his daily actions leave me in no doubt that our President is a weak and unprincipled leader who lacks the political will and bravery to do what is right for Nigeria. Just watch how Jonathan is sickeningly cosying up to people he should jail and it becomes obvious that he cannot move Nigeria forward significantly. Aondoakaa should be in jail for nearly destabilising Nigeria yet it is the USA that is punishing him (visa ban/revokation) and his family while Jonathan has admitted him into his campaign group !!!!

Let us call a spade a spade. Jonathan , with his actions, will retain his position in 2011 by owing a lot of favours to the type of political brigands and jobbers who have ensured that , for their own selfish benefits , Nigeria remains underdeveloped. It will be business-as-usual under Jonathan.

^^^, am feeling you jare.
cant put it better.

ode remo:

^^^, am feeling you jare.
cant put it better.

Thank you my brother. I try to call it as I see it. Aondoakaa was absolutely the last Straw that broke the Camel's back for me !!!! What on Earth is Jonathan doing ? Any leader with even a fibre of decency in him will feel strongly about dealing urgently with Aondoakaa and the rest of the fools who almost destroyed Nigeria for their own selfish gain only recently !!!!!

Going to Oyo to insincerely wax lyrical about "performer" Alao-Akala was also highly distasteful and callous to me as it means that Jonathan does not care that the "worst governor in Nigeria" remains in charge of Oyo , to the misery of millions, for another four years as long as he gets the State 'delivered' in his Presidential bid. A good President will understand that a better Nigeria cannot be achieved with crooks like Alao-Akala controlling important positions.

That Aondoakaa is now campaigning for Jonathan , so soon after his nefarious actions, is proof that Jonathan does not have an ounce of respect for Nigerians or a genuine commitment to doing the right thing. He will be a disaster IMO. Jonathan is accomodating virtually all the crooks and criminal in the land in a distastefully insensitive bid to win next year at all cost. Most influential politicians (Governors like Alao-Akala for example) will feel that , unlike Yar Adua , Jonathan must 'settle' them greatly as he wants to claim what does not belong to him. Jonathan will therefore need to suck up to far more crooks, to a far greater degree,  than Yar Adua had to do if he is to stand a chance  . What will these crooks and criminals want in return for their support when jonathan gets his four years ? What will Otedola want for bankrolling jonathan's campaign ? Your guess is as good as mine .

its the civil servants, they are the ones that collect bribes,they dont want reforms, they want to chop their part of the national cake, thank God,the telecoms industry was privatised, they shld do the same with phcn completely

Another empty promises. If OBJ could send soldier to Odi to deal with villagers and send high powered soldiers to deal MEND and later resolved to make peace with MEND and CO, why is it hard for Jonathan to make nice with power workers or disband.
? If NEPA would be fixed, there would be no other avenue to steal billions of $$ every year. Chop make I chop = NEPA/PHCN

Sack the lot. They are not doing a food job in the first place, so not sure we will miss them

Are the workers somehow expected not to protest the potential loss of jobs to follow the restructuring of the power sector or something? So what if they are protesting, it is to be expected. Not sure how that should really change anything. By the way, they are coming at the committee with ice water satchets and not guns and stones. Roflmao!!

This is very funny I am laughing in India(thousands of apologies)

The civil service are the CROOKS they kill and make you look like a thief and they get away.

One man cant know everything about the Army, elections, Economy, sports etc, Hence a government works for the interest for the people by working with the quality of citizen it finds close to it in the area it needs advice. If you are interested in saving Nigeria you must move close to government. If not shut up and just die as a coward.

THE CIVIL SERVICE IS VERY AMORPHOUS YOU CANT HOLD THEM UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO BREAK THE LAW IF THERE IS EVEN ANY LAW TO BE BROKEN. WHAT OUR SO CALLED LEADERS HAVE STOLEN IS CHEWING GUM MONEY TO WHAT THE ARMY OF ROBBING CIVIL SERVICE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO STEAL.

THERE IS A COMPETITION TO STEAL MORE MONEY SO THEY ASPIRE TO BECOME POLITICAL POWER BROKERS AND WHEN THEY ARE CAUGHT THEY HIRE THE BEST LAWYER AND PAY JOURNALIST TO SHOUT RULE OF LAW AND POLITICAL VICTIMISATION.


PLEASE LET ME LAUGH IN SWAHILI

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Another empty promises. If OBJ could send soldier to Odi to deal with villagers and send high powered soldiers to deal MEND and later resolved to make peace with MEND and CO, why is it hard for Jonathan to make nice with power workers or disband.
? If NEPA would be fixed, there would be no other avenue to steal billions of $$ every year. Chop make I chop = NEPA/PHCN

You are funny, who gave you the concoct of lies. He never sent soldier to ODI. Dont malign the army with your rubish here. If he gave the order who what and where?


Nepa is more organised to rob Nigeria. OBJ found out this bitter truth. I never knew it myself. OBJ MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SEE WHO THE THEIVES ARE. Why is everybody afraid to spend money on power?
If i gave you $5 billion to do any business in Nigeria you would never put the money into power why? You know the answer. You will buy transformer that wil dissappear? cables that will evaporate? light bills that you will need guns and cutlass to collect your money?
We are a diseased corrupt people but we can change when we say enough is enough.


Even the citizens are not ready to pay light bill.

Please could someone tell me why they wont let the fella come into the place

^^^^^

Because we want light but there are generations upon generation of Nigerians that dont know even what is called light bill. We are even exporting this attitude abroad.

Nepa is the evil that bewitches Nigeria.

Does it mean President Jonathan has no power to sack those recalcitrant workers?

Hope Jonathan knows that Nigerians are looking up to him to restore efficient power supply.

jamace:

Does it mean President Jonathan has no power to sack those recalcitrant workers?

Hope Jonathan knows that Nigerians are looking up to him to restore efficient power supply.

And he will surely dissapoint them with the way is is frollicking with those who have got our nation to the sorry state it is in.

Why is it so difficult for Nigerians to think pragmatically based on what we have seen , time and time again, in the past ? When Ibori was Yar Adua's main election sponsor knowledgeable and pragmatic Nigerians , despite Yar Adua's rant on "zero tolerance" for corruption, posited that the war on corruption will be dead if Yar Adua becomes President given his friendship with , and sponsorship by, the most corrupt Nigerians imagineable (OBJ, Ibori, et al) !!! What did Nigerians witness when Yar Adua became President?

Now many are saying that constant electricity will remain a pipe dream under Jonathan because , despite his populist talks on privatisation of the sector, nothing will happen if the sponsors of Jonathan (like Otedola) are some of those who stand to lose billions in profit if Nigerians scrap their generator sets . Everywhere you look Jonathan , for the sake of becoming President, is busy fraternising with and praising those who have always ensured that Nigerians remain in poverty and misery. That is something that should worry all right thinking Nigerians.

Gbawe:

And he will surely dissapoint them with the way is is frollicking with those who have got our nation to the sorry state it is in.

Why is it so difficult for Nigerians to think pragmatically based on what we have seen , time and time again, in the past ? When Ibori was Yar Adua's main election sponsor knowledgeable and pragmatic Nigerians , despite Yar Adua's rant on "zero tolerance" for corruption, posited that the war on corruption will be dead if Yar Adua becomes President given his friendship with , and sponsorship by,  the most corrupt Nigerians imagineable (OBJ, Ibori, et al) !!! What did Nigerians witness when Yar Adua became President?

Now many are saying that constant electricity will remain a pipe dream under Jonathan because , despite his populist talks on privatisation of the sector, nothing will happen if the sponsors of Jonathan (like Otedola) are some of those who stand to lose billions in profit if Nigerians scrap their generator sets . Everywhere you look Jonathan , for the sake of becoming President, is busy fraternising with and praising those who have always ensured that Nigerians remain in poverty and misery. That is something that should worry all right thinking Nigerians.

Gbam. The apple does not fall far from its tree. That is why I laugh at those who think Fashola is a messiah even though they see him romancing a bandit in the name of Tinubu. The real messiahs who tried to help Nigeria either got dumped or killed. Ebitu Ukiwe is one of them followed by Bola Ige .