Suspension Of Strike Without Electricity Assault On Nigerian Citizens – Journalist

The publisher, VAM Online Newspaper, Olorungbotemi Tunde Bright, has appealed Federal Government of Nigeria to pay attention to the demands of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE)’s leadership and effect the payment of their packages.

Olorungbotemi who made appeal in a statement at a press conference held in Lagos, called on the Federal Government to look at the negative effects the strike would have on Nigeria’s economy.

He added that if the strike continue it would affect the efficiency of many Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, hence, increasing the sufferings of the poor masses.

“It is unethical as a nation with a developing capacity to be in a dilemma of total blackout despite the nemesis engraved in it repercussions. The lacadaistic altitude of the government to the electricity workers is unpalatable to humanity.”

Recall that the Chairman of NUEE, Federal Capital Territory Chapter, Godfrey Aba, said the union were at the ministry to protest the non-payment of severance package to members who were employees of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

The union embarked on an indefinite strike on Wednesday at the end of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the government concerning some working conditions in the sector. He further accused the government of doing nothing throughout the period the ultimatum lasted.

He said the research he conducted round the towns indicates that despite the Suspension Of the industrial action the light has not been stable in almost every part of the country.

“When they announced the suspension of the strike , I burst into laughter , but unfortunately the research i conducted round the major towns shows that light is not stable. They brought the light the early hours of Thursday morning and within fiften minutes they off it.

” Even though the reasons are yet to be made public as I speak.” and imagine a private owned establishment is embarking on a strike to the detriment of it’s customers and subscribers. Although, we understand that the Government is the regulators of the sector.

Olorungbotemi added that, “It is on this note I urge the Federal Government to consider every Nigerians at this crucial time of the festive period, majority of the less privileged citizens make use of electricity even though it is not stable; one day we shall get it right in this nation.

“I applaud the electricity workers’ union for taking Nigeria first in shifting grounds and enjoin the Federal Government not to take their negotiation for granted and desist from making industrial actions. It is disgusting that the only language our government understand is ‘Protest/Strike’ before sorting issues that matter to National Interest.

“Nigerians desirous of a growth in the power sector, we need an efficient stable electricity, our government and the NUEE officials should work together to give us the best according to what we deserve as a great nation, and what is obtainable in other part of the globe” he said.