The National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria (NUEE), has
shut down the headquarters of Jos Electricity Distribution (JED),
company following the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum given to the
federal government to fulfil the demands union. Daily Trust reports that
workers of the company who came to work on Wednesday morning were all
locked out and asked to join the action or go back home.
Addressing journalists during the protests at JED’s head office, the
National Vice President of the union, Musa Ayiga, said the action
became necessary because the government had failed to address the
plights of members of the union and fulfill their demands.
Giving reasons for the action, comrade Musa explained that, “we have
many reasons which we are asking for. This company is privatised in 2013
and many staff were disengaged and some were reengaged. We had
agreement with government then that certain entitlement be settled to
workers. “And since 2013, we have been battling with government to
settle the workers and up till now, we have not been settled. We met
severally, written series of letters yet, they didn’t respond. So, as
voice of the voiceless, we have to talk and act on behalf of the people
that gave us the mandate, ” he added.
The vice president further warned if the demands of the union were
not met, his union and other trade unions would make the country
ungovernable, saying, ” if care is not taken, labour unions can paralyze
the activities of the government. If government refuses to intervene
immediately, this government will be rendered ungovernable.
“As we are taking, is not just NUEE but the umbrella of other trade
unions. It is a nationwide strike. If the day ends and nothing happens, I
am very sorry for the nation, “he added.
By Ado Abubakar Musa,