Some Electricity Consumers in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) has decried the strike embarked upon by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) saying it was a plan to
Some of the consumers said that the strike was uncalled for.
The consumers appealed to the union and the management of Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) to settle the issue and restore power.
Mrs Sadiya Mohammed, a Cold Room Owner in Kado Fish Market said there was no reason for the strike as most of the demand of the union was uncalled for.
Mohammed said that this issue would have been resolved without going on strike at this time when Nigerians have just started enjoying constant power supply.
“ The strike was not necessary as both parties would have settled the issue to avoid putting Nigerians in darkness.
“I am appealing to the union and the management of TCN to settle the matter as we are tired of strikes in Nigeria, ‘’ she said.
On her part, Mrs Ngozi Okonkwo, civil servant said that the reason for the strike was uncalled for as the union was being insensitive to the plight of Nigeria.
Okonkwo said that the country has been having challenges of National Grid collapse and we are just coming out of it and few weeks after they are going on strike.
“The funny thing is that what they are asking for is ridiculous, they want to go for promotion exam or interview, how can a civil servant not go for promotion exams and interview.
“We are all civil servants, we go for interviews and promotion exams.
Mr Segun Alabi, a welder in Lugbe said the strike would affect his business adding that it was not easy for him without electricity.
Alabi appealed to both parties to settle the issue amicably to save Nigerians from blackout.
Also speaking on the issue, Mr Raymond Adodo, a resident of Lugbe appealed to the union to return to work to save Nigerians from hardship
Adodo said that Nigerians cannot do without electricity for a long time as most of the small scale business owners depend on power to survive.
NUEE in a notice signed by its General Secretary, Mr Joe Ajaero, had directed its members to stop work effective Aug. 17.
”You are hereby enjoined to mobilise immediately for serious picketing of TCN Headquarters and Stations nationwide over the directive by the TCN Board that all Principal Managers (PMs)n acting capacity going to Assistant General Manager (AGM) must appear for a promotion interview,” the letter said.
“This directive is in contravention of our Conditions of Service and Career Progression Paths and was unilaterally done without the relevant Stakeholders”, the union said.
The union also decried the failure of the authorities to pay the entitlement of former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in December 2019.
