On Tuesday, August 16, Nigeria saw a decline of 502.7 megawatts in power generation. This was a result of the National Union of Electricity Employees and their counterparts in the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies halting the nationwide operations of the Transmission Company of Nigeria on the same day.
Power generation on the national grid hit an off-peak of 2,551.7MW on Monday, August 15, and peaked at 4,688.6MW the same day. However, it dropped to 4,185.9MW by 6am on Tuesday.
According to Punch, this transpired after members of NUEE and SSAEAC picketed TCN offices nationwide, leading to the shutdown of facilities and the threat of an indefinite strike starting the next day (Wednesday).
Kolade Ayodele, the NUEE Secretary responsible for the Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi Liaison Office, expressed discontent during the protest at TCN headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory. He disclosed that TCN’s board, which included the power minister, had failed to uphold agreements made with the unions.
He stated;
“The action today is happening all over Nigeria, not only in Abuja. It is because we have rules. There is the condition of service that binds the unions and the management together. You can see that the action here is being held by NUEE and SSAEAC.
“There was a directive given by the (TCN) board which contravenes the condition of service and that is why we are here to picket them. This is a warning, for if nothing is being done, tomorrow (Wednesday) we are going to withdraw our services nationwide.
“That means there will be total shutdown. Presently all TCN offices in Nigeria are under lock and key. Today, they wanted to carry the minister’s vehicle but we had already locked the office and we said no. They can’t carry the vehicle, and it is even good because the minister was part of the board.”
Ayodele mentioned an agreement in 2019 where the Market Operator of TCN was expected to pay a sum to the staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, but they have not complied till date.
He added;
“The agreement was signed in 2019 and the government directed the Market Operator of TCN to pay, but they have refused. Also, there is an Electricity Reform Act and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation is going against the Act.
“If there is an Act, it supersedes any circular, but the head of service is now bringing a kangaroo circular that those who have worked before in PHCN cannot be employed again.
“When they did the privatisation, those who worked for five years were paid for five years and many of them are still young. So are you saying you don’t want them to work anywhere? These are the main issues.”
The NUEE official emphasized that if the government and TCN were willing to heed the union, there would be no issue. However, if they continued to disregard the concerns on Tuesday, then the union would take the step to withdraw their services by Wednesday.
Ayodele could not specify the exact amount owed to union workers, but emphasized the need to honor the agreement reached in December 2019.
When asked about the duration of the strike, he replied, “For as long as the issue is not being resolved.”