By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah, Abuja
Electricity workers in Nigeria have initiated an indefinite strike, plunging the nation into darkness once again.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which represents the workers, is accusing the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) of neglecting its staff and forcing them to work under harsh conditions.
The union’s decision, which took effect on September 25th, follows the expiration of an ultimatum it had given the TCN management.
At the core of the dispute are several critical issues, including unpaid salaries since April, the denial of the new national minimum wage, and a severe lack of essential work tools, operational vehicles, and protective equipment.
In a circular signed by Acting General Secretary Dominic Igwebike, the union criticized the TCN management for “handling these issues with kid gloves” and showing “a lack of regard for the hardworking staff.”
The statement also warned that the country’s electricity supply industry was “going down the drain” due to this neglect.
The withdrawal of services, which takes immediate effect,has plunged some parts of the country into fresh rounds of blackouts.
As at the time of filling this report, efforts to reach the General Manager, Public Affairs of TCN, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, for comments were unsuccessful.
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