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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has called on Nigerians to prevail on the federal government for immediate implementation of the agreement signed with the union, which led to the recent suspension of the nationwide strike, embarked on by the electricity workers.
The Assistant General Secretary, Western Zone of NUEE, Modupeoluwa Akinola, made the call when he led other zonal executive members to address a press conference in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Monday.
He stated that the industrial action was suspended for two weeks in agreement with the federal government to attend to their demands, saying one week in the two weeks has gone already. He added: “This, to us, is the only way to forestall a situation whereby our union will be forced to reactivate the suspended strike.”
Akinola explained that “The recent strike organised by our union in defence of our members in TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria) is just a glimpse of how determined and resolute our union shall continue to be in the coming period in defence of the socio-economic rights and interests of our members and the general public
“Again, we will like to use this medium to openly reiterate our appreciation to members of our union and the general public for the kind overwhelming support and sympathy often rendered to the struggle and agitations of our union, particularly the recently suspended strike we embarked upon on behalf of our members in TCN.
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“Our union regrets and holds the government responsible for all forms of inconveniences and pains experienced by members of the general public during the period our last strike lasted. We hereby call the federal government to ensure that the agreement signed with the union which is the basis for the suspension of the strike in the first instance is honoured and implemented within the stipulated period of two weeks.”
The NUEE also accused electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) of using dubious antics to rob Nigerians, saying the distribution companies have failed to upgrade and expand their capacities and networks, right from the time the power sector was privatised in 2013.
According to them, the distribution companies have allegedly been using dubious antics such as over-billing to rob the citizens. He added that communities would have to procure distribution facilities, such as transformers, cables as well as poles. They queried why the DISCOS would appropriate the ownership of such distribution facilities bought by the communities to itself.
Akinola stated further that “The distribution Companies known as (DISCOs), are not fairing better. They have failed to upgrade and expand their capacities and networks while using dubious antics like over-billing to rob the people; forcing communities to procure distribution facilities like transformers, cables, poles and so on, which are not only grossly inadequate but also decrepit conditions and dubiously claimed the ownership.
“We consider this to be quite unfortunate and unthinkable, given the over N2trillion of bailout fund that the federal government has given to both the DISCOs and GENCOs on different occasions since the privatisation.
“There has been practically nothing to show in terms of improvement in the electricity supply and better performance for the $ 20 billion, the federal government claimed to have invested in the power sector since 2005.”
