Strike: There’s Looming Blackout Except… – AEDC Warns FCT Residents

Following the indefinite strike embarked upon by the members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may be in for a long blackout in electricity supply except urgent steps are taken to resolve the crisis within the sector.

The strike action by the electricity employees followed the decision of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Board, directing all principal managers, in acting capacity but due for Assistant General Managers (AGM), to appear for promotion interview,

This is as the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), has however said that all stakeholders are working hard to ensure that a mutual settlement is reached.

In a statement on its social media platforms, the AEDC said that the interruption of the power supply being experienced across its franchise areas was due to the ongoing industrial crisis between the NUEE and the TCN.

AEDC assured its customers that all stakeholders are working hard to ensure that a mutual and amicable settlement is attained and power is restored without further delay.
The workers in the nation’s power sector had given the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, and the management of TCN up till Wednesday, August 17, 2022, to address their demands or they would be forced to go on an indefinite strike.

NUEE noted that the TCN Board’s decision that all principal managers, in acting capacity going to Assistant General Managers, AGM, must appear for a promotion interview is clearly in contravention of the conditions of service and career progression paths.

The Union also accused the Board of the TCN of carrying out a unilateral decision without other relevant and critical stakeholders.
While responding to the Minster’s appeal, the Electricity Employees Union in a letter dated August 16, 2022 said that it was disheartening that an agreement reached with it as a result of his intervention from his office about three years ago has not been implemented. The NUEE further said; “Unfortunately, the issues raised and not addressed have relapsed/metamorphosed as part of the causes of the industrial unrest in the sector.

“On the stigmatization of staff from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation from working in other areas in the power sector, we are not sure you are speaking for the Head of Service after memos addressed to that office several months ago have gone without any acknowledgement.
“On the issues affecting violation/contravention of TCN’s condition of service by the TCN board, the management has only written by proxy for the board,” the union said.