National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to shut down the national grid again if the Federal Government fails to honour its demands.
The Zonal Organizing Secretary, North West Zone of the union, Comrade Dukat Ayuba gave the warning while addressing press conference in Kaduna.
He noted that while the negotiation is ongoing, the shutting down of the national grid still hangs and maintained that the two-week ultimatum given to resolve the crisis has elapsed.
Comrade Dukat lamented the privatisation of the distribution sector was a scam because nine years after being taken over by investors, nothing has changed.
“That was why we kicked against privitasing the distribution sector because the investors don’t have the capacity and expertise. As committed Nigerians, we advised the government against it. But the government was hell-bent on doing so” he said.
“The investors are still operating with obsolete equipment dating back to 35, 40, and 50 years. One will expect that with the coming of the investors they will replace this obsolete equipment but nothing has been done.”
According to the union leader, the nation still generates 5,000 megawatts of electricity, saying ”this is the same megawatts we use to generate. So what is the benefit of privatization?
“We now generate megawatts with higher tariffs. Bringing hardships to the homes of millions of Nigerians. This will only happen in Nigeria,” he stressed.
A member of the Central Executive Committee, Comrade Wisdom Nwachukwu warned that the union would not allow Federal to sell the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
“They are going behind meeting with some stakeholders. We are watching them. We will not allow that. We are patriotic Nigerians and we want the best for our country,” he said.
Vice President North West, NUEE Comrade Ado Gaya revealed that the 16-month demanded by the electricity workers is their legitimate earnings involving 55,000 workers.
He lamented that after nine years of their demand federal government is yet to pay their members and many died waiting while those who were laid off are sufferings with their families.
Cov/Adamu Yusuf/Kaduna