Electricity: Impending Nationwide Blackout As Workers Poised To Begin Strike

A nationwide blackout may be looming as electricity workers have been instructed by organised labour to begin an indefinite strike over pending issues with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The National Union of Electricity Employees set their sights on the headquarters of the Transmission Company of Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, lamenting the alleged failure of the federal government to pay the entitlement of former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in December 2019.

Airing their grievances under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the workers disclosed that their action is a prelude to an indefinite strike action scheduled to begin on August 17.

The workers were directed by NUEE General Secretary Joe Ajaero in a circular titled 'Call to Action' to ensure total compliance, vowing to paralyse operations of TCN nationwide over anti-masses activities.

“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 unilaterally done without the relevant stakeholders.

‘’This action takes effect from Tuesday 16th August 2022 and total withdrawal of services commences on Wednesday 17th August 2022. Ensure full compliance in all the stations nationwide", the circular reads.