The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), has again threatened to shut down the national grid if the federal government failed to honour their demands
According to the electricity employees, the two-week given to the Federal Government to resolve the crisis had elapsed.
Comrade Dukat Ayuba, the zonal organizing secretary, North West of NUEE, said while negotiation was still on-going, the shutdown of the national grid was imminent.
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“The so-called privatization of the sector was a scam because 9 years after being taken over by investors nothing has changed,” they alleged.
“That was why, we kicked against privitazing the distribution sector because the investors don’t have the capacity and expertise. As committed Nigerians we advised government against it. But the government was hell-bent of doing so”.
“The investors are still operating with obsolete equipment dating back to 35, 40, and 50 years. One will expect that with the coming of the investors they will replaced this obsolete equipment but nothing has been done.
“The nation still generates 5,000 megawatts of electricity,
“This is the same 5,000 megawatts we used to generate. So what is the benefit of privitazation? “
“The company now generates megawatts with higher tariffs, bringing hardships to the homes of millions of Nigerians and that is what all Nigerians are experiencing at the moment.
Wisdom Nwachukwu, a member of Central Executive Committe, noted that the federal government now wants to sell the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
“They are going behind meeting with some stakeholders. We are watching them. We will not allow that. We are patriotic Nigerians who want the best for our country.”
Ado Gaya, the Vice President, North West, NUEE, while elaborating further, revealed that the 16 months demanded by the electricity workers is their legitimate earnings which involved 55,000 workers.
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He explained that nine years after, the workers have not received a dime, regretting that many of the workers had died, while those who were laid off were suffering with their families receiving nothing to help them make a living.