ECG workers down tools for 2 days
Workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have begun another protest against what they describe as “gross disrespect and lack of trust” showed them by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA).
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All services by the workers of the company, who are part of the Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU), have, therefore, been withdrawn, except for emergency cases, for two working days.
The protest is also against the planned privatisation of the company by the government.
The workers suspended their services for three hours each working day for three days last week to express their disapproval at the sale of the company and demanded the review of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact which they said could lead to lay-offs.
However, MiDA, in an earlier statement, dismissed claims of job losses if the private sector participated in the affairs of the company under the second compact of the MCC.
It contended that the decision of the government to proceed with a long-term concession arrangement with the ECG was taken after extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, detailed technical reviews, in-depth study and a thorough analysis.
The PUWU, which gave the directive, asked the workers of the ECG not to attend to official duties yesterday, September 2, and Monday, September 5, 2016 until the government backed down on its concession plan.
‘The disrespect’
The General Secretary of PUWU, Mr Michael Adumatta Nyantakyi, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the current protest was triggered by a “disrespectful attitude and breach of faith action” showed them by MiDA.
He said during the first protest last week, the Ministry of Power and MiDA called for a meeting which was scheduled for August 30, 2016.
However, because it was delayed, much could not be discussed and so it was rescheduled to September 8, 2016.
“We were waiting for the due date to go for the meeting, only to hear on August 31, 2016 that MiDA had sent out the request for proposals to bidders, an act which clearly shows breach of faith, betrayal of trust and disrespect to us,” he said.
Customers are disappointed
On a visit to some ECG offices in Accra the Daily Graphic saw that staff of the company were not working, leaving customers stranded at their entrances.
At the ECG Head Office at the Ministries in Accra, it was observed that although some workers were seen in their offices, they were not working.
Red flags had also been hoisted at the main entrance and on other structures, including trees within the premises, to register their grievance.
At the Accra West Regional office of the company, a red band with the inscription: “MiDA, stop ECG privatisation now!!! Leave ECG alone” was hung at the main entrance.
The Customer Service Unit where customers are received had been locked up.
The situation was not different at the Kaneshie District Office, where customers who had gone to buy prepaid credit or were in need of one service or another were seen trooping in and out of the various ECG offices in disappointment.
Some of the customers expressed their disappointment, saying that the company should be sold to ensure efficiency in the distribution of power.
“Why won’t the government sell ECG when workers of such a critical organisation decide to go on strike? How do you expect customers to sympathise with you when you frustrate them like this? I support the idea that it should be sold to ensure efficiency,” a stranded customer, Mr Elis Awuku, told the Daily Graphic.
Another customer who gave his name only as Dominic said his employer had sent him because their prepaid credit was running out, only to be told that the workers had gone on strike.
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Mr Collins Owusu, who wanted his meter replaced at the Kaneshie office, went home disappointed, since he was told that nothing could be done until the protest was over.
“I was given a meter on Thursday but it did not work and so I came back today for replacement, only to be told that they are not working. It is so frustrating because we have to sleep in darkness for days," he added.
‘Effect is regrettable’
Mr Nyantakyi, on behalf of PUWU, said the effect of the workers’ action on customers was regrettable and unfortunate, but the workers had to pursue it for the good of all citizens of the country.
A meeting between the Ministry of Power and the executive of PUWU to discuss the workers’ concerns was held. Although details of the meeting was not disclosed, Mr Nyantakyi told the Daily Graphic that another meeting was expected between the parties next week.
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Kumasi
Donald Ato Dapatem & Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor report that a visit to various offices of the ECG in the Ashanti Region indicated that almost all of them had been closed, with red bands hung at the entrances of the offices.
Most of the customers who went to the offices to purchase power, report faults, request for meters, pay bills and make enquiries were turned away.
Many of them were seen stranded, with some threatening to reconnect their electricity because they could not do without power.
At the Adum Office of the ECG, a worried barbershop owner, Richard Bimpong, said he would not allow the lack of electricity and the strike to affect his work .
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At the Gyenyasi District Office, although the staff reported for work, none of them was working. Some had even changed into their working gear but would not attend to anybody.
Maame Adwoa, a housewife who had gone to the office to buy power for domestic use, was disappointed when she was informed that the staff were not working.
At the Regional Workshop and the Danyame offices where most faults are reported, the main gates were locked, with a red band tied to them.
Tema
From Tema, Della Russel Ocloo reports that dejected customers who were turned away from the various offices wondered why the workers were venting their frustration on customers.
A frustrated customer, Mr Wonder Nunoo, who was at the ECG’s Tema Regional Office to lodge a complaint, threw up his hands in despair when approached by this reporter.
“Today is Friday and we are going into the weekend. If I am unable to get this problem addressed, it means my family and I have to endure three nights without power,” he told this reporter.
Cape Coast
Shirley Asiedu-Addo reports that workers of the ECG in Cape Coast dismissed customers to their office, with the frontage draped in red.
A banner that hung in front of the office read: "Leave ECG alone".
The workers also wore red armbands.
Ho
In Ho, ECG workers closed the gate to the offices to prevent customers from entering the premises to access services, reports Tim Dzamboe.
A banner that hung on the walls of the company read: “Stop ECG concession now”.
At the time of the visit to the ECG yard, the Daily Graphic observed that the room in which prepaid credit was sold was virtually empty, as the workers were holding an emergency meeting.