A story is told of a young boy who decided to work in order to keep himself busy after graduating from secondary school. He applied to several places and was turned down because he lacks the requisite working experience. Luck finally shined on him or so thought, as he was called for an interview. During the interview, it was discovered that he is without experience. However, his zeal to work earned him the compassion of his employer. He was offered the job; however, terms of remunerations and working condition were not discussed. Happy that he has finally been accepted, he didn’t bother to ask how much he will be paid. He thus, started work in earnest.
Days went by and he kept working. In order to encourage him to keep coming, his employer promised to “give him something”. Days turned into months, months turned into several months and this chap was still not paid. Worried that their friend was been exploited, his friends called him and tried to talk ‘sense’ into him; he rebuffed them and told them at least I’m working, are you?
The story of this boy reflects the plight of most workers’ in Nigeria. In virtually all sectors, poor working conditions abound. People are exposed to harsh working conditions; workers are barely respected and are rarely catered for. The Nigerian worker is without dignity; yet, they are encouraged to keep expending energy all in the name of there is dignity in labour.
Worse, is the fact that the take home pay workers get at the end of the month hardly takes them home. For all the labour and energy invested, workers are given pittance as salary at the end of the month. What workers get as salary is a far cry when compared with what politicians get. Politicians are paid heavily for doing nothing, while the worker gets peanuts for doing all the work. As if this is not enough, they are owed for several months. The same politicians, who cannot stomach any delay in their salaries and entitlements, end up owing workers for several months. This is totally unfair!
A peep into some states in the country, reveal that workers are being owed for close to a year! The question that begs the answer is, are the governors and the retinue of aides also being owed? If by chance the answer is in the negative, why then is it different with the poor government worker? These workers’ have family and have bills to pay. As they are not getting any salary, has anybody ever wondered how they are coping and surviving? Little wonder most of them have been forced to an early grave because of one illness or the other (both natural and artificial). Some have been forced into some illegal deals and transaction because man must chop. Others have tried to lead decent lives despite the huge temptations that hover around. Yet, they are not being encouraged.
The exploitation of workers’ is not restricted to the government or public sector alone. In fact, the private sector is worse than the public sector. The experience of workers in the private sector is saddening and horrendous. Business proprietors are only concerned with the continuity and progress of their businesses, rather than for the welfare of their workers who toil endlessly to keep it going concern. Their salary at the end of the month is hardly commensurate with the level of the work done and energy invested. Workers’ barely have security of tenure; security of tenure for workers’ is usually at the pleasure of he who hires. Another unfortunate thing is that they are hardly remembered after they have duly served and have retired. Sorry tales about the condition of retirees and pensioners abound.
This must change. Workers represent the heart beat of a country, state or organisation. Workers play a significant role and must therefore, be given their deserved respect! They are like the Ostrich that lay the golden egg. They should therefore occupy an enviable position in the minds of their employer. The continuous disregard for workers must stop. Labour Unions have a big role to play in ensuring that workers occupy a big position in the scheme of things. Sadly, the Labour Congress is currently experiencing an internal tussle for power, caused by elections conducted to elect their leaders. One wonders how a divided labour union can solidly and effectively push and ensure the interested of workers are guaranteed and protected.
Where the labour unions have failed, workers must not fail themselves. They must continue to be gently obstinate to ensure that their silent murmurings are heard. One individual can set the stage for better pay, work condition, and greater respect for workers; thus, changing the traumatizing and shameful condition of workers.
1st May, was originally set aside as the International workers Day in order to commemorate the 4th May, 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where the police fired into a protesting crowd of workers, during a strike for the eight-hour workday, killing four workers. Sadly, the yearly celebrations have turned into a mere yearly jamboree where nothing changes about the condition of worker. Nothing is done, and nothing is said. Most workers have resigned to fate, they believe only destiny will change their deplorable working conditions. Some of them choose to work harder, so that they can climb the ladder. As an observer, do not draw a worker’s attention to his condition, except if you have an answer to this question, at least I’m a worker, are you?
Frank Ijege
frankijege@yahoo.com
foijege on twitter
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
PRESSING ISSUES THAT GEN. MUHAMMADU BUHARI NEEDS TACKLE
Let me use the opportunity to congratulate the president elect on his recent victory at the poll. His tenacity and perseverance has indeed paid off; his victory it is hoped, will indeed offer Nigerians the opportunity to enjoy his robust programmes, which he has over the years sought to implement if given the opportunity to govern the country. Thank God that opportunity has finally presented itself.
This piece is the first out of four series which will run within the next four weeks. It covers fundamental problems in our national life; which therefore, becomes necessary to draw the attention of the incoming government to, so that as soon as it takes over in May, it will hit the ground running. This particular piece is focused on the power sector. Other areas will be discussed in the ensuing weeks.
Power, plays a fundamental role in the life of every nation. Due to its importance, countries of the world invest heavily in the sector. According to a 2012 report, countries like Uruguay, Mauritius, Costa Rica and South Africa, were the largest investors in renewable energy. South Africa generates close to 40,000 MW, 98% of which is from coal. In Mauritius, a workable plan between the government have seen the Island enjoying stable electricity. In 2013, 2575 MW was generated, representing an increase of 3.2% when compared with the year 2012. The country’s electricity consumption for that period was less than 1000 MW. 80% of the electricity in Mauritius is generated from thermal plants, while the remaining 20% is from hydro-power. The government has a fifteen year plan, which hopes to see power generation increase steadily. In Uruguay, power generation has increased from 2500 MW to 2900 MW, between 2009 and 2013. 63% of the generated electricity is derived from hydro-power. These are countries that have invested greatly in the power sector, and they have been reaping the benefits that come with stable electricity.
The benefits enjoyed by the citizens of the aforementioned countries are enormous. Industrial activities thrive, small businesses crop up, as stable and reliable electricity reduces operational cost. People and organizations are saved the burden of investing in costly backups. Through stable power generation, the citizens are gainfully employed and engaged, which translates into few people engaging in anti-social activities.
In Nigeria however, the opposite is the case. Electricity generation is at a disappointing level. Despite the huge investment in the sector, darkness remains prevalent in the country. Corruption has destroyed the power sector; the high level of corruption in the power sector, makes a ridicule of the huge investments in the sector. For instance, according to a 2013 report, the government of Nigeria has invested $31.45 billion, from 1999 to 2013, and all that was generated within that fourteen year period is just 2500 MW; thus taking the total electricity generation in Nigeria to around 4500 MW. This is a far cry when compared with the output by other countries within the same fourteen year period. Brazil invested $58 billion in its power sector within a fourteen between 1994 and 2008, while its power generation is about 100,000 MW! With the amount invested in the sector thus far, Nigeria and Nigerians deserve more in terms of power generation.
The effect of this poor power generation is already being felt by the people. A lot of industries have folded up, small business have equally been flushed away. Others have resorted to artificial backup systems, which translates into high operating costs, which are transferred onto the citizens. Businesses must make profit despite the huge cost of doing business. Due to the high cost of doing business in Nigeria, most business have moved to other African countries that have over the years ensure a steady electricity supply for their people. This diminishes our self-acclaimed status of being the giant of Africa. A giant that cannot cater for his subordinates is worse than a weakling. Our people are insulted and killed in small countries of the world due to the persistent failure of our leaders in providing the basic essentials of living.
The incoming government therefore, has a job to do; and it must start with the power sector. That it must provide stable electricity for Nigerians is non-negotiable. It must show us that it is different and must get things right. One expects a complete overhaul of the entire sector, and putting mechanisms in place in order to get the desired results. A situation where billions of naira is invested with little result to show for it must stop. The privatization of the sector has yielded little or no result. Nigerians are paying more for electricity they hardly use or consume. This must change!
There should also be a diversification of the means of power generation. The countries mentioned above do not have oil. Yet, they have been able to provide a steady power for their people. It is therefore shameful that despite the huge deposit of resources in Nigeria, the country is still lagging behind in terms of electricity generation.
The Buhari administration must put an end to this shame. It is hoped it would achieve this through hydro-power generation and a revisit to coal. All the private industries hoping to invest in the sector should be made to come up with a plan on how it intends to explore on other source of power generation, rather than the unwholesome dependence on fuel. Also, investments in that sector must also be monitored in order to ensure that every dime budgeted to be spent is not only spent but spent appropriately. His administration must restore the dignity of government and the status of Nigeria in not just Africa, but in the entire world. The expectations are high; he must therefore, strive to meet these expectations
I pray that Nigeria witnesses a new birth in the power sector, as we embark on another four years democratic experience under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
To be continued…
Frank Ijege
frankijege@yahoo.com
@foijege on twitter
This piece is the first out of four series which will run within the next four weeks. It covers fundamental problems in our national life; which therefore, becomes necessary to draw the attention of the incoming government to, so that as soon as it takes over in May, it will hit the ground running. This particular piece is focused on the power sector. Other areas will be discussed in the ensuing weeks.
Power, plays a fundamental role in the life of every nation. Due to its importance, countries of the world invest heavily in the sector. According to a 2012 report, countries like Uruguay, Mauritius, Costa Rica and South Africa, were the largest investors in renewable energy. South Africa generates close to 40,000 MW, 98% of which is from coal. In Mauritius, a workable plan between the government have seen the Island enjoying stable electricity. In 2013, 2575 MW was generated, representing an increase of 3.2% when compared with the year 2012. The country’s electricity consumption for that period was less than 1000 MW. 80% of the electricity in Mauritius is generated from thermal plants, while the remaining 20% is from hydro-power. The government has a fifteen year plan, which hopes to see power generation increase steadily. In Uruguay, power generation has increased from 2500 MW to 2900 MW, between 2009 and 2013. 63% of the generated electricity is derived from hydro-power. These are countries that have invested greatly in the power sector, and they have been reaping the benefits that come with stable electricity.
The benefits enjoyed by the citizens of the aforementioned countries are enormous. Industrial activities thrive, small businesses crop up, as stable and reliable electricity reduces operational cost. People and organizations are saved the burden of investing in costly backups. Through stable power generation, the citizens are gainfully employed and engaged, which translates into few people engaging in anti-social activities.
In Nigeria however, the opposite is the case. Electricity generation is at a disappointing level. Despite the huge investment in the sector, darkness remains prevalent in the country. Corruption has destroyed the power sector; the high level of corruption in the power sector, makes a ridicule of the huge investments in the sector. For instance, according to a 2013 report, the government of Nigeria has invested $31.45 billion, from 1999 to 2013, and all that was generated within that fourteen year period is just 2500 MW; thus taking the total electricity generation in Nigeria to around 4500 MW. This is a far cry when compared with the output by other countries within the same fourteen year period. Brazil invested $58 billion in its power sector within a fourteen between 1994 and 2008, while its power generation is about 100,000 MW! With the amount invested in the sector thus far, Nigeria and Nigerians deserve more in terms of power generation.
The effect of this poor power generation is already being felt by the people. A lot of industries have folded up, small business have equally been flushed away. Others have resorted to artificial backup systems, which translates into high operating costs, which are transferred onto the citizens. Businesses must make profit despite the huge cost of doing business. Due to the high cost of doing business in Nigeria, most business have moved to other African countries that have over the years ensure a steady electricity supply for their people. This diminishes our self-acclaimed status of being the giant of Africa. A giant that cannot cater for his subordinates is worse than a weakling. Our people are insulted and killed in small countries of the world due to the persistent failure of our leaders in providing the basic essentials of living.
The incoming government therefore, has a job to do; and it must start with the power sector. That it must provide stable electricity for Nigerians is non-negotiable. It must show us that it is different and must get things right. One expects a complete overhaul of the entire sector, and putting mechanisms in place in order to get the desired results. A situation where billions of naira is invested with little result to show for it must stop. The privatization of the sector has yielded little or no result. Nigerians are paying more for electricity they hardly use or consume. This must change!
There should also be a diversification of the means of power generation. The countries mentioned above do not have oil. Yet, they have been able to provide a steady power for their people. It is therefore shameful that despite the huge deposit of resources in Nigeria, the country is still lagging behind in terms of electricity generation.
The Buhari administration must put an end to this shame. It is hoped it would achieve this through hydro-power generation and a revisit to coal. All the private industries hoping to invest in the sector should be made to come up with a plan on how it intends to explore on other source of power generation, rather than the unwholesome dependence on fuel. Also, investments in that sector must also be monitored in order to ensure that every dime budgeted to be spent is not only spent but spent appropriately. His administration must restore the dignity of government and the status of Nigeria in not just Africa, but in the entire world. The expectations are high; he must therefore, strive to meet these expectations
I pray that Nigeria witnesses a new birth in the power sector, as we embark on another four years democratic experience under Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
To be continued…
Frank Ijege
frankijege@yahoo.com
@foijege on twitter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)