The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), has sought the buy-in of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the ongoing reform and privatisation programme of the Federal Government.
The Ag. Director-General of the Bureau, Ignatius Ayewoh, sought the union’s collaboration recently when he paid a courtesy visit to the NLC President, Joe Ajero.
A statement by the BPE Head, Public Communications, Amina Othman, quoted Mr. Ayewoh as emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the labour unions to ensure the welfare of workers during and after the exercise.
He was said to have also expressed gratitude to Mr. Ajero and the Union for their past support, and urged them to continue partnering with the Bureau, particularly as members of the Technical Committee (TC) of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).
Highlighting BPE’s previous successes in various sectors of the Nigerian economy such as telecoms, banking, the Eleme petrochemical, and port terminal concessions, Mr. Ayewoh said the Bureau’s current strategy is focused on implementing Public Private Partnership (PPP) and concessioning in its transactions.
Furthermore, he informed Mr. Ajero that BPE is working closely with the Accountant-General’s Office to ensure the payment of all outstanding severance liabilities arising from the 2013 privatisation of the power sector, in accordance with agreements reached with the labour unions.
Responding, Mr. Ajero thanked the Ag. DG for the visit and pledged the collaboration of the NLC with the Bureau in its reform activities.
Recall that in 2023, the BPE, along with other sister agencies, conducted a verification exercise for the payment of the agreed 16-month severance benefits to former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), including certified Next-of-Kin (NOK) of deceased ex-staff.
The exercise had taken place in 12 designated centers over four phases across the country.
The Bureau’s current strategy is focused on implementing Public Private Partnership (PPP) and concessioning in its transactions.
