By O.V.Collins
Nigeria has been thrown into a state of darkness as the labour unions, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have shut down the national grid, resulting in a nationwide blackout.
The shutdown, which occurred at 2:19am on June 3, 2024, was carried out by the labour unions in protest of the federal government’s failure to agree on a new minimum wage and review the increase in electricity tariffs.
According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the labour union forced operators out of the control room, beating and wounding some staff who resisted. The Benin Area Control Center was subsequently shut down, followed by other transmission substations, including Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo.
“The Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in a blackout nationwide.”
Ndidi Mbah, GM, Public Affairs, TCN
The shutdown also affected power generating stations, with units forced to shut down, leading to high frequency and system instability. The national grid was eventually shut down at 2:19am.
TCN has commenced grid recovery efforts, using the Shiroro Substation to feed transmission lines, but the labour union is still obstructing recovery efforts nationwide.
“The situation is such that the Labour Union is still obstructing grid recovery nationwide.”
Ndidi Mbah, GM, Public Affairs, TCN
The strike, which began on June 3, has also disrupted essential services, including transportation and banking, with the labour unions demanding a new minimum wage of N494,000, while the government has offered N60,000.
Organised labour had vowed to commence an indefinite strike on Monday over the Federal Government’s failure to conclude and pass a new National Minimum Wage Act into law and reverse the electricity tariff hike from N225/kWh to N65/kWh.
The labour unions have vowed to continue the strike until their demands are met, leaving Nigerians in a state of uncertainty.
The situation is still developing, and efforts are being made to resolve the issue and restore power to the nation.
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