Nationwide Darkness Looms in Nigeria As Electricity Workers Threaten Strike Action

Nationwide Darkness may be looming as the electricity workers under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) have threatened to embark on in­dustrial action over what it called the unlawful sack of its President, Engineer Chris Okonkwo and oth­er anti Labour activities of the management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The union in a letter addressed to the Managing Director, Transmis­sion Company of Nigeria (TCN), titled re – posting to Transmission Company Of Nigeria (TCN) and which was copied the Minister of Power, Minister of Power (State), Minister of Labour and Employ­ment, Minister of Labour and Em­ployment (State), Inspector General of Police and the Director, Depart­ment of State Security, demanded that the sack letter should be with­drawn immediately.

The letter signed by Umar Abu­bakar Dubagari, General Secretary of SSAEAC read: “We demand that the letter under reference be with­drawn immediately. In the event that you are unyielding to this demand, we shall mobilise all legal and industrial machineries at our disposal to resume our pending industrial action against you and this shall be without further notice.”

It would be recalled that the Managing Director of TCN had in a letter dated 24/04/2020 terminated the appointment of Engr. Dr. Chris N. Okonkwo, General Manager, Special Duties and President Gen­eral, SSAEAC from the services of Transmission Company of Nigeria under the impression that his con­tract have lapsed since June 11, 2018.

But the union said the purport­ed retirement was fraudulent as the SSAEAC President is a career officer and not political appointees as the Managing Director.

“Engr. Dr. Chris Okonkwo was not on political posting to TCN as you portrayed in your letter under reference. He has been a career Power Sector employee for more than 27 years and rose to the rank/position of a General Manager since 2013 through hard work and dedication to duties.

“His appointment, like any other employee of TCN was anchored on the Public Service Rules of 60 years of age or 35 years of service and does not carry term/tenure of ser­vice, as such his service with TCN cannot be said to have lapsed since June 11, 2018,” the union said.

Besides the union said the Manag­ing Director took the illegal action as part of his vindictive and anti labour action against the union.