The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies and the National Union of Electricity Employees suspended the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s nationwide operations on Tuesday, culminating in a 502.7 megawatt reduction in Nigeria’s power production.
Power generation was seen on the national grid reported an off-peak of 2,551.7MW on Monday and rose to a maximum of 4,688.6MW the same day, however, this dropped to 4,185.9MW as at 6 am on Tuesday.
Tuesday also saw protesting by members of NUEE and SSAEAC at TCN offices around the country, which resulted in a standstill in operation and a warning to commence an indefinite strike on Wednesday.
Addressing the protest at the headquarters of TCN in the Federal Capital Territory, the NUEE Secretary heading the Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi Liaison Office, Kolade Ayodele, said TCN’s board, which had the power minister as member, had annulled an agreements struck with the unions.
He said, ‘The action today is happening all over Nigeria, not only in Abuja. It is because we have rules. There is the condition of service that binds the unions and the management together. You can see that the action here is being held by NUEE and SSAEAC.’
‘There was a directive given by the (TCN) board which contravenes the condition of service and that is why we are here to picket them. This is a warning, for if nothing is being done, tomorrow (Wednesday) we are going to withdraw our services nationwide.’
‘That means there will be total shutdown. Presently all TCN offices in Nigeria are under lock and key. Today, they wanted to carry the minister’s vehicle but we had already locked the office and we said no. They can’t carry the vehicle, and it is even good because the minister was part of the board.’
According to Ayodele, an agreement had been reached for the Market Operator of TCN to make a small payment to the employees of the now-defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria in 2019. “but they refused to pay the money up till now.”
He further said that, ’The agreement was signed in 2019 and the government directed the Market Operator of TCN to pay, but they have refused. Also, there is an Electricity Reform Act and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation is going against the Act.’
‘If there is an Act, it supersedes any circular, but the head of service is now bringing a kangaroo circular that those who have worked before in PHCN cannot be employed again.’
‘When they did the privatization, those who worked for five years were paid for five years and many of them are still young. So are you saying you don’t want them to work anywhere? These are the main issues.’
According to the NUEE representative, there would be no issues if the government and TCN were willing to hear the union out, ‘but if they refuse to listen today (Tuesday), then by tomorrow (Wednesday) we will have to withdraw our services.’
According to Ayodele, the actual sum payable to union’s employees is unknown, who also emphasized that a deal agreed upon in December 2019 must be maintained.