FG Inaugurates Board Of TCN As Electricity Workers Kick Against Constitution

The Federal government has inaugurated the board of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) even as electricity workers have kicked against the constitution of the board, citing that the members are politicians rather than professionals.

The electricity workers under the umbrella body of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) maintained that the politicians would worsen the current epileptic condition of the power sector in the country.

General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero in a statement Thursday said:
“The Minister of Power who is supposed to supervise the Board; since his appointment has not had any interface with Workers representatives with a view to appreciating the challenges facing the Sector and proffering solution to these perennial crises.

“In inaugurating a Board for TCN and the need to revamp the ailing Power Sector, it is pertinent to enquire what the terms of reference issued to them are. Several failed/uncompleted projects in the past; one of which is that of Siemens, despite the alarm raised by the Union have remained one that did not yield a positive impact to date notwithstanding the enormous resources thrown into it.

“This brings to bare numerous questions begging for answers concerning the composition of the TCN Board. Is this a Professional Service Board or Political Reward? Can they deliver in terms of investment attractiveness, the economy of scale, and effectiveness? Is there any academia with a specialization in Electronic movement design on this Board? The Power Sector has to be salvaged and in doing so, we must square pegs in square holes.”

However, in a statement Friday, the Director of Press, Ministry of Power, Mrs. Dibiaezue-Eke, Florence O. quoted the Minister, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, as saying during the inauguration that the board member were selected based on their competence, expertise and wealth of experience.

“They are suitably qualified and worthy of our nation’s Power Sector value – Chain”, Aliyu said.

He further urged the board members to execute their assignment with all seriousness it deserves bringing their wealth of experience to bear on decisions at the board meeting. Adding

“You have a key responsibility in overseeing the strategic direction of TCN within the context of the policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

He urged them to speak and act, within and outside the Boardroom with one voice.

The Minister while explaining that the Power Sector is on a fast track to deliver efficient and effective service to Nigerias implore the board members to see that this comes to bear.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswan, in his goodwill message advise the Board members to work in synergy with the Ministry of Power in order to ensure that the current challenges being experience in the Power Supply in the Country is adequately addressed and put to barest minimum.

Responding, the Chairman thanked the President, Commander-in-Chief, of the Armed Forces, Mohammadu Buhari GCON for the confidence reposed on them and for giving them the opportunity to serve the general public in this capacity.

He assured the President and general public that they will live up to expectation.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Nebeolisa Anako, ablely represented by Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Tayo Adewumi urged the Board members to increase the transmission wheeling capacity in Nigeria.

Noting that this is very dear to the President, and is one of his major cardinal agenda in this present dispensation, the Permanent Secretary further explained that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is occupying a very important place in the Power sector as its performs not only as Transmission System Provider but also Independent System Operators.

The member of the governing board are as follows:
(i) Mr. Bukar Bulama Buni – Chairman
(ii) Engr. Sule Abdulazeez – Managing Director, TCN
(iii) Appolonia Okigbo – Member (South-East)
(iv) Ahmad Talba Imamuddeen – Member (North-East)
(v) Clement Omeizabaiye – Member (North-Central)
(vi) Muhammad A. Wazaram – Member (North-East)
(vii) Abdul Karim Babatunde Disu – Member (South-West)
(viii) Osagie Ediale – Member (South-South)
(ix) Gazalli M. Tukur – Member (North-West)
(x) Nsima Udo Ekere – Member (South-South)
(xi) Ali Haruna – Member (North-West)
(xii) Engr. Nosike E. N. – Member representing Federal Ministry of Power
(xiii) Hajia Aisha Omar, representative of Federal Ministry of Finance
(xiv) Alex Okoh – Member representing Bureau of Public Enterprise.