THE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) says it is seeking collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the ongoing reform and privatisation programme of the Federal Government.
This is contained in a statement signed by Amina Othman, Head, Public Communications, BPE, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Othman said the acting Director-General (D-G), BPE, Ignatius Ayewoh, recently paid a courtesy visit to the President, NLC, Joe Ajero to seek collaboration.
She said Ayewoh emphasised the importance of collaboration with the labour unions to ensure the welfare of workers during and after government agency reforms.
Othman said the BPE acting chief executive expressed gratitude to Ajero and the union for their past support.
She said Ayewoh urged the union to continue partnering with the bureau, particularly as members of the Technical Committee (TC) of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).
Othman said Ayewoh highlighted BPE’s previous successes in various sectors of the Nigerian economy such as telecommunications, banking, Eleme Petrochemical, and Port Terminal concessions.
She said the acting D-G stated that the bureau’s current strategy was focused on implementing Public Private Partnership and concessioning in its transactions.
Othman said Ayewoh informed Ajero that BPE was 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.
She said the acting D-G said it was in accordance with agreements made with the labour unions.
Othman said that in his response, Ajero thanked the acting D-G for the visit and pledged the collaboration of the NLC with the bureau in its reform activities.
She said 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).
Othman said this included certified Next-of-Kin of deceased ex-staff.
She said the exercise took place in twelve designated centres over four phases across the country. (NAN)
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