By Chesa Chesa
President. Muhammadu Buhari has denied reports that he ordered the sack of the management of hr Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over a workers’ dispute that resulted in the power blackout in Abuja and environs.
A presidency statement on Wednesday said that Buhari could not have so interfered in the running of the company since it was privatised.
According to the statement issued by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President however, welcomed on-going discussions with relevant stakeholders to resolve the issues surrounding the recent developments in the company.
The statement reads: “The Presidency wishes to react to a news item making the rounds, credited to the Minister of State for Power that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the sack and replacement of the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC.
“This cannot be true. Since the privatization of the Power Sector in 2013, the management of the successor companies has reverted to the new owners.
“It is, therefore, totally out of place and inconceivable that the President would be linked to the management of a private organization, let alone sacking it.
“It is gladdening to note that the Minister quoted in the statement has himself distanced himself from it.
“The Presidency, therefore, wishes to state expressly and reassure investors in the economy that President Buhari did not order the sack of the management of AEDC, neither does he intend to interfere in the running of the affairs of private business entities.
“The Presidency, however, welcomed on-going discussions with relevant stakeholders to resolve the issues surrounding the recent developments in the company.”
