Blackout Looms As Electricity Workers Prepare For Strike

THE National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has intensified mobilisation of its members nationwide for a possible strike next week following the expiration of its 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government without a resolution of its grievances.
NUEE had in a letter on a January 26, addressed to the Minister of Power, issued a nationwide strike notice, accusing power sector employers- particularly distribution companies (DISCOs) and generation companies (GENCOs), of widespread anti-labour practices, wage violations and failure to remit deducted Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes and pension contributions.
With the ultimatum now expired and no tangible action taken, union leadership has begun mobilisation across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), warning of possible industrial action any moment that could cripple electricity generation and distribution nationwide, if urgent steps are not taken.
It was gathered that the Minister of Labour and Employment had waded into the dispute about two weeks ago and summoned a meeting slated for last week, even as the Minister of Power insisted the matter fell within his ministry’s purview and should be handled accordingly.
The union expressed frustration that nearly two weeks after that development, no meeting had been convened by the Ministry of Power, alleging that the minister has been preoccupied with political engagements, rather than addressing the looming crisis in the sector.
Worried by government’s seeming inaction, NUEE leadership intensified mobilisation of workers across power stations and distribution networks in preparation for a possible strike next week.
The union accused employers in the sector of refusing to negotiate and implement collective agreements and conditions of service, as well as failing to implement the 2025 National Minimum Wage Act and its consequential adjustments.
In addition, NUEE accused some companies of denying workers their constitutional right to unionise, restricting union activities within company premises and deducting union dues without remittance, as well as prolonged non-remittance of statutory third-party deductions, including PAYE tax and pension contributions.
NUEE decried what it termed the “militarisation” of the workplace, alleging harassment, intimidation and threats against workers by managements of certain companies, including Ikeja Electric and Egbin Power Plc.
It expressed frustration that despite repeated electricity tariff increases, band reclassification and rising revenues in the sector, their welfare has stagnated.
The union accused the sector’s investors of failing to fulfil post-privatisation commitments, including capital injection, metering, network expansion and improved power supply, a situation it said was an evidence of the shortcomings of the privatisation exercise.