Labour must stand by govt over power crises – Haruna

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, on Tuesday called on members of the various trade unions across the country to collaborate effectively with government to deal with the current power crises bedeviling the country.

He mentioned the payment of affordable rates for energy consumption, energy conservation in government departments and support to government to reform the energy sector as some the values labour could champion to help resolve the current crises.

The Employment and Labour Minister was speaking at this year’s May Day Symposium organised by the Tema District Council of Labour, ahead of the National May Day celebration on the theme: “Addressing energy crises; the role of organized labour”.

He said the role of labour in dealing with the energy crises was much needed at a time government was working assiduously to fix the power crises, rather than managing it in the interim, as was done by previous governments.

He indicated that energy was critical to economic advancement as its deficit was a constraining factor for growth and development in any country.

Mr Iddrisu assured that government was aware of the ramifications of the deficit in critical energy infrastructure as it was a threat to jobs, healthcare and general livelihood of the citizenry.

Mr Emmanual Armah Kofi Buah, the Minister for Energy and Petroleum said government is committed to solving the energy crises by further streamlining and encouraging independent power production and dealing with the challenge of cheaper fuel and reforming the distribution sector to ensure investment.