December 02, 2008

PGCIL facing stiff resistance in Nigeria

It is reported that Power Grid Corporation of India Limited is facing stiff opposition from the workers of a power transmission company in Nigeria. As part of power sector privatisation in Nigeria, the federal government had given the management contract of the transmission arm of Power Holding Company of Nigeria to PGCIL but the workers are against the decision to hand over the company to PGCIL.

Nigerian media reported that Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies of Nigeria are jointly protesting against the privatisation plan. Workers were armed with placards inscribed ‘No to Foreigners’, ‘No to Indian Slavery’, ‘This is slavery’ and ‘Take over means stop work Our labor can’t be in vain’.

Mr Joe Ajaero general secretary of Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees said that “The Indians are not welcome. We want to advise them to stay away. I want to say without contradiction that the Indians are not good managers.” He added that no country in the world has ever allowed its transmission line to be run by foreigners because of its security implications.

At the technical and competitive bidding for Power Holding Company of Nigeria on September 12th 2007, PGCIL emerged the preferred management contractor out biding Manitoba Hydro International of Canada and ESB International quoting the lowest management contract fee of USD 5.1 million.