By Gambo Jagindi
June 08, 2021
AUPCTRE, NUEE Vow To Resist Privatization of Water, Energy, waste management Sector, urges for PPP
The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees ( NUEE) have vowed to continue resisting the privatization of water, energy and waste management sector, and advocate for Public Public Partnership (PPP).
The two unions made the declarations during a leadership training workshop jointly organized in partnership with Public Service International (PSI), and held at Sharon Ultimate Hotel on Monday in Abuja.
Comrade Benjamin Anthony, President of AUPCTRE, explained that the workshop is about raising awareness and impacting knowledge on the leadership of labour unions on the negative effect of privatisation of water, energy and waste management sector across Sub-Saharan African region.
The labour leader further emphasized that the Union had the mandate of protecting the jobs of members.
“When these essential services are privatise, they typically cut off wages and lay off workers which usually lead to poor services delivery and unemployment.
“So, we are empowering the labour leaders and focal person with the basic information about privatisation so as to proffer solutions.”
He further stated that the unions’ interest, apart from saving jobs of members, also included the provision of clean public energy delivered to homes, and governed in the public interest.
It will also guarantee that essential services are provided to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay and ensure workers delivering these utilities live in dignity, with respect for their rights and quality employment conditions
Comrade Anthony alleged that privatisation of water, energy and waste management sector is relentlessly promoted by austerity politicians and many global institutions, including the World Bank and the IMF.
While utility services might seem like a local issue, their quality and governance is inextricably tied to global policies and issues. Global and regional institutions that impose privatisation or austerity policies need to be challenged, Anthony added.
He pledged AUPCTRE’s commitment to take down the enlightenment campaign to members of the Union at the branches and grassroots to build more resistance against the privatization of the sector and establish partnership with other stakeholders, so that clean, affordable and quality water, sanitation and energy services for everyone could be guaranteed.
He added that essential utility services such as water and energy need to be run in the public interest because they require long-term investment, and should be responsive to local communities and environment rather than foreign shareholders.
Also speaking, Comrade Martin Uzoegwu, National President, NUEE, commended the efforts of a research conducted by Mr Lucky Chambers and presented to the forum for discussion.
He pointed out that stakeholders at the workshop acknowledged the beautiful effort of the researcher but rejected it because areas that affected workers welfare in the sector were not captured.
Comrade Uzoegwu listed the grey areas as salaries and wages, casualisation, conditions of service, incessant sack and lack of workers engagement on collective bargain.
He therefore advised the researcher to include the listed point in his research.
The electricity workers president said privatisation is never a solution as witnessed in the energy sector in Nigeria because eight years after privatisation, the power generation is still within 4000 megawatts.
He said that the Union would continue to engage government and other stakeholders within and internationally for a lasting solution, while
assuring that the labour union would continue to exercise its mandate and fight for the right of workers.