Electricity workers have initiated a widespread shutdown of the national grid in response to an indefinite strike declared by organized labor unions.
Ndidi Mbah, the spokesperson for the Transmission Company of Nigeria, exclusively confirmed this development to newsmen on Tuesday.
As per Mbah, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) adhered to directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress, ceasing their services around 11:20 am on Monday, resulting in a comprehensive blackout across the nation.
“Electricity workers are NLC members; they’ve followed the directive by organized labour to withdraw their services from Tuesday”, she stated.
It was gathered that the Federal Capital Territory and its environs are experiencing a blackout.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress announced a nationwide indefinite strike starting Tuesday despite a court order restraining the unions from doing so.
Reacting to the development, the Presidency, in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, said strike action by unions was a flagrant disobedience to court order and a lack of respect for the judiciary.
Accordingly, the government expressed displeasure that the nation’s economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader.
It was reported that the unions last week issued a nationwide strike notice over an assault on Joe Ajaero, the President of NLC, on November 1 2023, in Imo State.
