Tension as NUEE threatens to shut down national grid again

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to shut down the nation’s power grid once more.

According to the electricity workers, the Federal Government’s deadline of two weeks to resolve the crisis had passed.

While briefing newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, Comrade Dukat Ayuba, the zonal organizing secretary, North West of NUEE, explained that while negotiations were still ongoing, the national grid would be shut down.

According to him, the so-called privatization of the sector was a sham, explaining that nine (9) years later, nothing had changed to improve its operations, particularly for electricity consumers.

“That’s why we fought against privatizing the distribution sector, because investors lack the capacity and expertise,” he added. As concerned Nigerians, we advised the government not to do so. But the government was adamant about doing so.”

He noted that the investors were still using obsolete equipment dating back 35, 40, and 50 years, stating that one would expect that with the arrival of the investors, the obsolete equipment would be replaced, but nothing had been done.

He expressed regret that the country continues to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity, claiming that it is the same 5,000 megawatts that they previously generated, with no benefit from privatization.

He went on to say that the company now generates megawatts at higher tariffs, causing hardship in the homes of millions of Nigerians, and that this is what all Nigerians are experiencing right now.

Wisdom Nwachukwu, a member of the Central Executive Committee, stated that the federal government now wishes to sell the Nigerian Transmission Company (TCN).

He stated that they were going behind closed doors to meet with some stakeholders, which they would not allow because they are patriotic Nigerians who want the best for their country.

While elaborating further, Ado Gaya, the Vice President, North West, NUEE, revealed that the 16 months demanded by the electricity workers is their legitimate earnings, which involved 55,000 workers.

He explained that nine years later, the workers had not received a dime, regretting that many of the workers had died, while those who were laid off were suffering, with nothing to help them make a living.

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