Eko DisCo alerts customers as workers shut down transmission company

Nigeria’s epileptic power supply may worsen from Wednesday, following reports that the organised labour has directed workers in the power sector to shut down and begin an indefinite strike over unresolved issues with their employer, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Already, the electricity distribution companies have sent out messages alerting customers of possible outage of power supply due to the pending strike.

“Dear esteemed customer, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) is set to embark on an industrial strike at all power stations controlled by Transmission Company of Nigeria. This may lead to disruption of electricity supply across the nation. Kindly bear with us,” read a message from Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

The aggrieved workers were at the Abuja national headquarters of the TCN on Tuesday as a prelude to the proposed strike.

The union said the strike was to protest a directive by the TCN Board mandating all PMs in acting capacity going to the Annual General Meeting to appear for promotional interview.

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In a circular titled, ‘Call to Action,’ which was addressed to senior assistant general secretaries and zonal organising secretaries, dated August 15, 2022, the general secretary of the NUEE, Joe Ajaero, directed electricity workers to ensure total compliance, vowing to paralyse operations of the TCN nationwide over anti-masses activities.

The statement read in part: “You are hereby enjoined to mobilise immediately for a 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 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, August 16, 2022 and total withdrawal of services commences on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.

“Ensure full compliance in all the stations nationwide.”