Nationwide Blackout looms as electricity workers join NLC-ASUU solidarity protest

Nationwide Blackout looms as electricity workers join NLC-ASUU solidarity protest

Just as the planned protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)/Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) gains momentum, Nigerians may witness another round of blackouts beginning from Tuesday as electricity workers on Sunday insisted that they would join the solidarity protest.

Power sector workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees made their position known in a letter issued by the General Secretary, NUEE, Joe Ajaero, to the vice presidents of states and administrative councils chapter secretaries of the union.

The letter with reference, NUEE/NS/2022/008, titled, “Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)/ASUU Solidarity Protest,” and dated July 22, 2022, stated that electricity workers would join in the protest to kick against the prolonged closure of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

It read in part, “In line with the NLC’s directive and our position which was made known at the Central Working Committee and National Executive Council meeting of Congress.

“All members of the union are enjoined to massively mobilise and actively participate in the NLC/ASUU solidarity protest against the continued closure of the nation’s tertiary institutions, schedule for July 26/27, 2022.

“You are encouraged to work with the leadership of State Executive committee Councils of the congress in your various states with a view having a successful outing. Aluta Continua!”

Power industry stakeholders believe that the participation electricity workers in the two-day protest might cause some instability to the recuperating power sector.

A recent blackouts across the country resulted to Nigeria’s power sector recently witnessing a grid collapse that led to the crash of power generation from over 3,900 megawatts to 3MW.