Blackout as electricity workers begin strike

There was blackout in some parts of the country on Wednesday following the nationwide strike by electricity workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).

The Ikeja Electric Plc and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) confirmed the development in separate public notices to their customers.

The DisCos said the picketing of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) by the union members had plunged customers under their networks into darkness.

“Due to the ongoing nationwide picketing of Transmission Stations by the NUEE, we are currently experiencing disruption of power supply as most stations within our network have been shut down.

“Kindly bear with us as we await amicable resolution by the relevant stakeholders.

“Thank you for your usual understanding and cooperation,” Ikeja Electric said.

Similarly, EKEDC said the grounding of activities at the TCN controlled power stations had led to disruption of electricity supply to customers across the country.

“In the meantime, we would like to reassure our esteemed customers that we are currently working with the relevant regulatory authorities and the parties involved to reach an amicable resolution.

“Thank you for your understanding”, the DisCo said.

Also, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) announced power supply disruption within the South-East due to strike by the electricity workers.

EEDC, in a statement by its Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said: “Following the industrial strike embarked upon by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), power stations operations across the franchise area of EEDC plc have been disrupted.

“As a result of this, all our feeders are out of supply and this has affected supply to our esteemed customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.”

The NUEE in a notice signed by its General Secretary, Joe Ajaero, had directed its members to stop work effective August 17.

The union had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the TCN Chief Executive Officer on May 18, threatening to down tools if its complaints were not resolved.

“You are hereby enjoined to mobilise immediately for serious picketing of TCN Headquarters and Stations nationwide over the directive by the TCN Board that all PMs in acting capacity going to AGM must appear for a promotion interview.

“This directive is in contravention of our Conditions of Service and Career Progression Paths and was unilaterally done without the relevant Stakeholders”, the union stated.

The NUEE also decried the failure of the authorities to pay the entitlement of former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in December 2019.

The Star

Segun Ojo