Electricity workers deny Minister Adelabu access to Ministry of Power
Story from Usman UMAR
The National Union of Electricity Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies blocked the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and other ministry workers from entering the Power House building in the Maitama District of Abuja on Monday.
Members of NUEE and SSAEAC disrupted all operations at the ministry.
NUEE’s acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, stated that the shutdown of the power ministry will continue until the government addresses the union’s demands or calls for a meeting to discuss the issues.
In a letter to Adelabu dated May 20, 2024, the unions expressed their displeasure with the government’s decision to liquidate TCN without consulting stakeholders.
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They accused the Minister of disregarding critical stakeholders in the sector and running the power sector without considering the welfare of workers and the sector as a whole.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress set a deadline of May 31, 2024 for the Federal Government to reverse the increase in electricity tariff.
The unions made this decision at a jointly held National Executive Council meeting.
They strongly criticized the unilateral tariff hike, which they believe is unjust and burdensome.
The unions demand an immediate reversal of the tariff increase and have given the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Federal Government until the end of May 2024 to meet their demands.
The unions criticized the unilateral tariff increase and the lack of dialogue with stakeholders, calling it provocative and unacceptable.
