Strike: Experts Berate Electricity Workers, Say Shutting Down National Grid is Sabotage
- The recent industrial action by the National Union of Electricity Employees is still generating reactions across the country
- Some professionals in the electricity sector have condemned the employees for shutting down the national grid
- Some of the pundits also asked the government to prosecute the workers for their actions, saying it is unprofessional
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FCT, Abuja - Experts in the electricity Industry have berated the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) for shutting down the national grid for two days between 16-17 August to push for their demands at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) .
The pundits noted that the decision of NUEE members to deliberately shut down the national grid and even make viral videos while doing it is not only reckless but also a threat to national security and livelihoods.
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Engr. Oluwole Samuel Kayode, an expert on power infrastructure said:
“No nation can allow such abuse of labour laws to happen without, adding that the unions have chosen the wrong means of expressing their grievances.
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“What happened between Tuesday and Wednesday is unacceptable. The electricity workers union must change its ways and stay clear of tempering with crucial national infrastructure like the national grid from being used to labour politics.”
Engr. Kayode also called on the federal government to prosecute all those found to have played a role in shutting down the national grid and make sure that they face justice through fair trial.
On his part, Malam Mustapha Kamal an electricity consultant noted that the National Assembly must rise to the occasion and change Nigeria’s labour law to ensure that incidents like shutting down the national grid must not be used as a means of labour bargain.
He pointed out that because of the impact of electricity on healthcare, security and well being, it must be exempted from any forms of strikes.
His words:
“The National Union of Electricity Employees has committed what can best be described as economic sabotage. What happened is dangerous and must not happen again.”
The NUEE, had in a notice signed by its general secretary, Mr Joe Ajaero directed its members to stop work over issues of promotion interview and entitlements of former PHCN workers.
The strike was later called off few hours later after federal government officials intervened.
How NUEE strike began
Legit.ng had earlier reported that Nigerian electricity workers shut down power stations across the country as they embark on industrial action on Wednesday, August 17.
The leadership of the NUEE, on Tuesday, August 16, directed its members to go on strike over what it said were contravention of working conditions and default on workers' entitlements.
Ikeja Electric also announced to its customers that it is experiencing power supply disruption as most stations under its network were shut down.
REPORT: 3 countries owe Nigeria N5.8bn electricity debt for 2020
Meanwhile, a new report has shown that three countries - the Republic of Niger, the Republic of Benin and the Togolese Republic - are owing Nigeria an electricity debt of N5.8 billion.
The debt is an outstanding payment from the three countries from a 2020 invoice of N16.31 billion issued to them by the Nigerian Electricity Market for the year.
The report was released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Source: Legit.ng
