Electricity workers give 2-week ultimatum over 16 months' severance package

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) Monday gave a 14 -day ultimatum to most Generation Companies (GenCos) led by Egbin Power Plc to pay the 16 months' severance package owed her members or face a total blackout in Nigeria.

statement signed by the acting general secretary of NUEE, Comrade Dominic Igwebike, also accused the Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo, of misinforming Nigerians and openly threatening workers in the sector.

Comrade Igwebike also alleged that the minister has refused to meet stakeholders with the view to increasing productivity since his assumption into office.

He added that the federal government must put round pegs in round holes, in order to achieve impeccable improvements and rejuvenate the power sector, instead of appointees whose qualifications are political considerations.

The statement reads: "We are worried at the public display of ignorance by the newly appointed Honourable Minister of Power Mr. Adebayo, since his assumption of office.

"It is unfortunate that since his assumption of office, the minister has not deemed it necessary to reach out to critical stakeholders in the power sector, with a view towards engendering effective collaboration, optimising productivity and increasing power output and impeccable industrial relations atmosphere required to achieve them.

"Rather, he has embarked on a media frenzy to misinform Nigerians and openly threaten workers in the sector. It is on record that the power sector had not experienced any system collapse in over 400 days due to the industrious and hard-working members that make up the workforce.

"The minister should be guided to the effect that the power sector did not experience any system collapse during the two days warning strike declared across the nation by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which we are affiliated to."