Nigeria’s electricity workers have suspended a strike action that has thrown swathes of the nation, including the seat of federal power, into darkness.
The nationwide blackout had been described as an act of economic and security sabotage in several quarters.
The unionists, under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have now agreed to suspend the strike for another two weeks at least, following a meeting with Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.
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“The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has apprehended the strike embarked upon by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) following an emergency meeting between the union, government, and other stakeholders, at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige,” a statement from the Head, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, reads.
“Dr Ngige set up a tripartite committee to look into the grievances of electricity workers towards addressing them.”
NUEE Secretary General, Joe Ajaero, also “assured the minister that all necessary steps would be taken to restore the supply of electricity to the country immediately.”
The strike had been triggered in protest of the directive by the TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria) board that all Principal Managers in acting capacity, who are being promoted to Acting General Managers, must appear for a promotion interview, among other grievances.