ELECTRICITY WORKERS THREATEN TO SHUT NATIONAL GRID
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has again threatened to shut down the national grid if the federal government fails to honour its demands soon.
This was even as it maintained that the two weeks given to resolve the crisis has elapsed.
In a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, the zonal organizing secretary, North West of NUEE, Comrade Dukat Ayuba noted that while negotiation is still on going, but the shutting down of the nation grid still hangs.
Ayuba lamented that the so-called privatization of the sector was a scam because 9 nine years after taken over by investors nothing as change.
According to him, “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 of 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 replaced these obsolete equipment but nothing has been done.
According to the union leader, the nation’s still generates 5,000 megawatts of electricity, saying, this is the same 5,000 megawatts we used to generate. So what is the benefit of privitazation?
“We now generate megawatts with higher tariffs. Bringing hardships to the homes of millions of Nigerians. This will only happen in Nigeria,he stressed.
Also speaking, a member of Central Executive Committe, Wisdom Nwachukwu noted that the federal government now wants to sale 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.
Elaborating further, the Vice President, North west, NUEE Ado Gaya revealed that the 16 months demanded by the electricity workers is their legitimate earnings which involves 55,000 workers.
However, he said nine years after, the workers have not receive a dime, saying, many of the workers have died, while those who were laid off are sufferings with their families
