Electricity workers plunge Nigeria into darkness, shut down national grid

Electricity workers under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in the Transmission Company of Nigeria Electricity (TCN), on Wednesday at around 11.30 am, shut down power supply from national grid, plugging the country into black out.

Multiple responses from TCN officials confirmed the development to ENERGY TIMES.

This is coming on the heel of threats from Labour unions to shut down power supply over Labour-related issues with the Ministry of Power.

Electricity workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) had on Tuesday, August 16, grounded the operations of TCN nationwide with the picketing of its office across the country for reneging on the agreement it had reached with the unions some years ago.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has urged electricity workers to suspend their proposed indefinite strike action.

The Managing Director, TCN, Dr Sule Abdulaziz, made the appeal in a letter to the workers after the union in a circular had vowed to cripple operations of TCN nationwide.

The aggrieved workers under the aegis of the national union of electricity employees (NUEE) had slated Wednesday, August 17, to commence indefinite strike action.

Making his appeal in a statement, Dr Abdulaziz said, “We are pleased to inform you that management has suspended the said proposed interview for those on acting appointment of Assistant General Managers and General Managers while we conclude discussion with the board.

“On the other two issues: circular from the office of Head of Service on stigmatisation of the defunct PHCN staff; payment of entitlement of ex-PHCN staff by market operator, the management has contacted the Honourable Minister of Power for his further action.

In a letter dated August 15, Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba, the Federal Minister of State for Power notified the Union that the ministry was committed to proffering solutions that would be acceptable to all parties concerned.

Meanwhile, Management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) says electricity supply to its franchise had dropped following the commencement of strike action by electricity workers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday.

According to the Management, the ongoing strike had already caused interruption of power supply across our franchise areas as all feeders supplying Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States had been dropped.

In this regard, we are informing our highly esteemed customers of this development while assuring that concerned stakeholders are working to ensure speedy resolution for power to be restored as soon as possible.
(Energy Times)
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