From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Senior and Junior Staff Association of Electricity Companies as well as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), yesterday, made good their threat by shutting down several 330kV transmission lines and 33kV feeder-lines across the power system network, so putting the country into darkness.
The shutdown resulted in the generation load imbalance and multiple voltage escalations at critical stations and substations.
Meanwhile, the two unions are still meeting with the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu and other senior government functionaries.
According to the General Manager (GM), Public Affairs of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ndidi Mbah, this is coming weeks after the nation had emerged from hectic grid management regime, precipitated by paucity of generation.
“Regrettably, this is coming weeks after we had emerged from hectic grid management regime, precipitated by paucity of generation, which we grappled with for a couple of months.
“In spite of this setback, we are set to restore the grid as quickly as possible. The Ministries of Power and Labour and Employment are currently meeting with the union officials in order to resolve the issues.
“The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) appreciates the understanding of our customers – within and outside the country. Enduring mechanisms are being instituted to avert a situation of this kind, going forward” she said.
The workers in the nation’s power sector had earlier expressed their determination to shut electricity supply if Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), go on a nationwide protest over the protracted strike in the country’s educational sector.
The unions had lamented the indifference of government on the continued closure of schools and expressed concern on Nigeria’s development towards nationhood and the future of the youths in the country.
General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, in a statement, had explained that they were deeply saddened and appalled by the lingering impasse between the Federal Government of Nigeria and unions in the academic sector.
The statement observed that the deadlock which kept students at home for over seven months, had exposed them to all forms of negative vices inimical to nation building.