NUEE threatens to shut down national grid again

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to shut down the national grid again if the Federal Government fails to honour its demands soon.

According to the electricity employees, the two-week given to the Federal Government to resolve the crisis had elapsed.

Comrade Dukat Ayuba, the zonal organizing secretary, North West of NUEE, while briefing newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, September 22, explained that while negotiation was still on-going, the shutdown of the national grid was imminent.

He said the so-called privatization of the sector was a scam. He explained that nine years after, nothing has changed to improve its activities, especially to the consumers of electricity.

He added, “That was why we kicked against privitazing the distribution sector, because the investors don’t have the capacity and expertise. As committed Nigerians, we advised government against it. But the government was hell bent on doing so.

“The investors are still operating with obsolete equipment dating back to 35, 40, and 50 years. One will expect that with the coming of the investors they will replace this obsolete equipment but nothing has been done.”

He regretted that the nation still generates 5,000 megawatts of electricity, saying that it is the same 5,000 megawatts that they used to generate, with no benefit from privitazation.

“We now generate megawatts with higher tariffs. Bringing hardships to the homes of millions of Nigerians. This will only happen in Nigeria,” he explained.

Wisdom Nwachukwu, a member of Central Executive Committee, noted that the federal government now wants to sell the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“They are going behind meeting with some stakeholders. We are watching them. We will not allow that. We are patriotic Nigerians who want the best for our country,” he said

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

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