The 72-hour ultimatum issued by the Non-Governmental Organization YouthLead Nigeria to the Abuja Electricity and Distribution Company (AEDC) in Niger State, demanding a minimum of twenty-one hours of electricity supply to all franchise areas, or face a total shutdown, has ended today.
In a telephone interview with Radio Nigeria in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Assistant Secretary of the union, Comrade Jude Johnson, said that they have unanimously agreed not to engage in any interaction with the AEDC after the expiration of their ultimatum.
Mr Jude Johnson explained that they have been in partnership with the Niger State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in addressing the problem of erratic power supply to Nigerlites by the AEDC for quite some time.
According to him, they are currently meeting with the Niger State chapters of the NLC and TUC on the way forward for this problem that has forced many artisans out of business due to numerous hours and days of neglect by the power company.
Comrade Jude Johnson, however, gave assurance that they would pursue their grievances in a more diplomatic manner to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
COV/ALIYU LAWAL