In compliance with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) directive to strike over the new minimum wage, electricity workers have shut down the National Grid, resulting in a nationwide blackout.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, on Monday morning. TCN reported that workers were forcibly removed from their duty posts, with some being beaten and injured at various power facilities.
The company’s attempts to restore the grid were being hindered by union activities.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in black out nationwide. The national grid shut down occured at about 2.19am this morning, 3rd June 2024.
“At about 1:15am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room and that staff that resisted were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room and without any form of control or supervision, the Benin Area Control Center was brought to zero.
“Other transmission substations that were shut down, by the Labour Union include the Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba and Osogbo Transmission Substations. Some transmission lines were equally opened due to the ongoing activities of the labour union.
