Blackout Looms as Electricity Workers Join NLC Strike Over Fuel Subsidy Removal
Nigerians may experience a total blackout as electricity workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have resolved to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) protest strike over the fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The strike action, which is expected to start on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, will disrupt the generation and distribution of electricity across the country.
This was revealed in a memo issued by the general secretary of NUEE, Dominic Igwebike, on June 2.
The memo stated that the union was in support of the NLC, which had denounced the sudden removal of fuel subsidy as a policy that would inflict more suffering on Nigerians and worsen inflation in the economy.
The memo read: “Sequel to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on June 2. 2023 at the Labour house Abuja, over the sudden removal of fuel subsidy, which has brought untold hardship to Nigerians as well as increased inflation in the economy, the NLC has directed that the nationwide withdrawal of Services action will commence on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.”
The memo also directed electricity workers nationwide to withdraw their services by midnight on Wednesday.
“Please note that withdrawal of Services nationwide commences from 0.00 hours of Wednesday, June 7, 2023,” the memo added.