The much expected 40% salary increase for staff of the National Power Authority (NPA) that should have come into effect this July has hit stony grounds.
According to a spokesman for the senior staff association even though the Board of Directors had approved the salary increase, both the Minister and the National Commission for Privatization (NCP) objected to its implementation.
Furthermore the NCP had reportedly instructed that the proposed 40% salary increase will be looked into by October, without being very definite about the outcome.
The workers have been complaining about the lack of increase in their salaries, loan facilities, yearly appraisal form and salary advance.
This lack of facilities have left the staff in a rather unpleasant mood and one even questioned “how can theft be stopped?” opining further that these are the issues that are affecting the smooth running of the institution.
On June 23rd 2010, Dr.Zubairu A.Kaloko acting in conjunction with the Financial Controller, Brima Bangura had reportedly recommended that “the implementation of the 40% salary increase to junior, intermediate, senior and line managers since NPA is currently engaged in implementing the infrastructural program of His Excellency the President.”
They noted that, “in addressing this long outstanding issue, we can avert a strike and collect the much needed revenue and boost staff morale,” stressing that, “staff would be grateful and they will in turn work for the benefit of the authority.”
On the other hand they noted, that “failure to reach an amicable settlement on this long overdue issue which had earlier been agreed upon, an unpredictable work environment could be created that would lead to a potential protest and possible strike action.”
The senior management staff further noted that Bo-Kenema Power Services (BKPS), a subsidiary arm of NPA has already implemented 30% of the 60% since 1st January 2008, disclosing further that junior staffs have had salary increases that have caused disparity in the various salary scales thereby affecting the salary scales of both intermediate and senior staff.
The General Manager and Financial Controller stressed “it is therefore prudent to correct the disparity by implementing the increase”.