Darkness Envelopes Nigeria Despite Suspension Of NLC Strike
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
Despite suspension of the imposed industrial action by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, earlier today, Nigerians are still grappling with nationwide blackout as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is yet to restore power hours after the Organized Labour suspended the strike.
TCN workers’ union had shut down the national grid on Monday in solidarity with the Labour union who had declared an indefinite strike over minimum wage and hike in electricity tariffs.
The Organised Labour, however, suspended the nationwide strike for five days after meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday, to give room for uninterrupted negotiations with the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage.
Even though it is expected that every government and private offices were to resume duty immediately, the power sector which has a direct and immediate effect on the livelihood of Nigerians is yet to prove it is on the same page with the Labour Union as citizens remain in total darkness across the country.
According to an Abuja resident, Ronke Ishola, “we heard the strike has been called off but I haven’t seen light anywhere, maybe they will waiting till tomorrow to give us light.
“I heard the Airports are now open, I really don’t know what is stopping the TCN from giving us light”
In the South Eastern States, the story is the same. “I just went to pick up my phone from where I went to charge it with money, we still don’t have light yet”, Nnenna Diru in Aba, Abia State confirmed.
In Lagos State, a resident, Richard Odukwe, said the sound of power generating sets in most business areas is enough evidence that Nigerians are still in darkness and cannot do without power supply.
A staff of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), who spoke on condition of anonymity said theirs is just a distribution company but that their transmission centres are on standby and as soon as there’s light, they will distribute.
Nigerians are eagerly waiting for light as the cost of fuel is not pocket friendly at this time.
