ELECTRICITY WORKERS STRIKE: Federal government have been called upon by some stakeholders in the power sector to immediately prosecute the electricity workers behind the shutting down of the nation`s power greed as part of their nationwide strike action, describing such action as economic sabotage and threat to national security.
What We Know
Some experts and stakeholders in the Nigerian power sector have called on the Federal Government to prosecute the National Union of Electricity Employees for deliberately shutting down the national grid for two days between August 16-17 2022.
Clariform reports that on those said dates, businesses and other electricity consumers round the country were thrown into complete darkness as the industrial action embarked upon by electricity workers led to the total shutdown of the national power grid.
Power generation crashed below 4,000 megawatts as NUEE workers went on strike to protest against a compulsory promotion interview for principal managers, unpaid entitlement, among other issues.
However, on Friday stakeholders in the power sector faulted the decision of the electricity workers to embark on shutting down the national grid to push for their demands at the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
According to experts, the decision of the union 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.
Notable Quote
According to an expert on power infrastructure, Engr. Oluwole Kayode:
“No nation can allow such abuse of labour laws to happen without consequence, adding that the unions have chosen the wrong means of expressing their grievances.”
“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 for labour politics.”
He 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.
Another expert 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 explained that with the impact of electricity on healthcare, security and well-being, it must be exempted from any forms of strikes.
Notable Quote
He added: “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.”
