Electricity workers shut down power ministry over tariff hike, TCN unbundling

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) stopped business activities at the headquarters of the ministry of power in Abuja on Monday.

Members of the unions also locked out Adebayo Adelabu, the minister of power, and other workers of the ministry, stopping access to the powerhouse building in the Maitama district of Abuja.

Speaking to TheCable about the action, Igwebike Dominic, general secretary of NUEE, said the aim was to ensure that the hike in electricity tariff be reversed and other demands met.

Dominic said all workers were chased out of the ministry and businesses were shut down since May 17. 

He said the action was suspended on May 20 after a 14-day ultimatum was issued.

“There had been calls for us to relax the action and for now we have given them a 14-day ultimatum to reverse the hike,” he said.

NUEE and SSAEAC made their demands to the minister in a joint letter on May 20.

The unions demanded tariff hike should be reversed and the status quo should be maintained within the next two (2) weeks, with effect from May 20.

“We are taken aback by the utmost disregard for the critical stakeholders in the power sector by you and your agency’s unilateral and detrimental decisions in the sector,” the unions said.

“We believe that all agencies, under your ministry, should key into your agenda and set goals by extension to the vision of this administration in seeking a regular and sustainable power supply in the country. 

“So, the disruption being engineered by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in the sector is not surprising as there is no known agenda or vision for the power sector by your administration one year after the resumption of office.

“The unfortunate scenario playing out in the Power Sector points to the fact that you administer the sector like a personal estate with no consideration for the welfare and survival of the workers and the sector in general.

“In retrospect, since you assumed office a year ago, your ministry and NERC have been running the sector without recourse to critical stakeholders in the power industry.”

The unions also asked that the salaries of the workers in the sector be reviewed.

Other demands of the unions include the halting of all obnoxious deductions from Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and all deducted funds remitted back to TCN with immediate effect; electricity rebates (units) allocated to all staff in the sector; as well as the federal government halting the unbundling of TCN which was done without consultations from all critical stakeholders.

On May 13, members of organised labour picketed offices of the NERC nationwide.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other affiliate groups protested the increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A category.