By Funso Alarape
Monday, June 3, 2024
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Workers across major federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as the National Assembly and Judiciary embarked on indefinite strikes in compliance with the directive of Organized Labour to press home the demand for a living wage.
Similarly, the labour union has shut down the national grid resulting in a nationwide blackout
The national grid shutdown occurred at about 2.19 am, Monday morning, 3rd June 2024.
In another development, the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) has directed all its members nationwide to join other Nigerian workers to fully participate in the indefinite industrial action.
The union has also instructed the branch leadership in various universities to mobilize members under their watch for compliance
Recall that the conciliatory meeting with the Federal Government delegation and Organized Labour held at the instance of the leadership of the National Assembly on Sunday night was deadlock as the aggrieved workers vowed not to suspend the proposed strike.
Our Correspondent who monitored the strike observed that the major entrances leading to the National Assembly complex and National Industrial Court (NIC) were shut down by the protesting workers.
In a joint statement issued by Spokesmen of both the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi, argued that the mediatory meeting,” ended on a positive note.
“At the meeting, stakeholders noting that the position of Organised Labour is valid given the general economic situation in the country, agreed on the need for ongoing negotiation to continue, allowing for continuous engagement on the issue of wages,” the duo affirmed.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate cautioned, “While addressing the legitimate concerns of Organised Labour is imperative, we must be mindful that an unsustainable wage increase could trigger inflationary pressures and potentially lead to layoffs. Our approach must balance the need for fair wages with the overall economic stability of the nation.”
Consequently, Organised Labour gave the National Assembly leadership eight weeks to engage with stakeholders from the Executive.
The Labour Leaders, however, declined to call off the nationwide strike action immediately as they requested more time to consult their respective National Executive Councils (NEC), and organs, in adherence to the Constitution of their Unions.
Labor shuts down the national grid, causes
backout
The national grid shutdown occurred at about 2.19 am, Monday morning, 3rd June 2024.
According to the press release signed by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs of Transmission Company of Nigeria, 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, about 1:15 am this morning.
Other transmission substations that were shut down, by the Labour Union include the Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo Transmission Substations, the statement revealed.
Some transmission lines were equally opened due to the ongoing activities of the labor union.
On the power generating side, power generating units from different generating stations were forced to shut down some units of their generating plants, the Jebba Generating Station was forced to shut down one of its generating units while three others in the same substation subsequently shut down on very high frequency. The sudden forced load cuts led to high frequency and system instability, which eventually shut down the national grid at 2:19 am.
At about 3.23 am, however, TCN commenced grid recovery, using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to feed the transmission lines supplying bulk electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. The situation is such that the labor Union is still obstructing grid recovery nationwide.
The TCN however assured that efforts will be made to stabilize the situation.
“We will continue to make effort to recover and stabilize the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution load centers nationwide.
ASUU directs members to join strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) has directed all its members nationwide to join other Nigerian workers.
The union instructed in a letter dated June 2, 2024, signed by its President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, and addressed to all the branch chairpersons and zone coordinators.
According to Osodeke, NLC has declared indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024 as a result of the failure of the government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of the hike in electricity tariff. Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress.
“Consequently, branch chairpersons are to mobilize all members to participate in the strike action.”
When contacted on the directive, the Lagos Zone Coordinator of ASUU, Prof Adelaja Odukoya, told Nigerian Tribune on Monday that the zone would fully go by the directive of the union.
He said compliance wouldn’t be a difficult thing for all the seven universities in the zone and all other zones to comply with.
Passengers stranded at Kano Airport
The nationwide industrial strike has affected flight operations at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, in Kano as domestic flight passengers were stranded on Monday morning.
The Flight disruptions are imminent as aviation workers join the indefinite strike Monday had earlier announced their readiness to join the planned indefinite labor strike scheduled to begin today.
On Monday, members of the union reportedly blocked the entrance of the airport, preventing passengers from gaining entrance.
While speaking with one of the passengers, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad disclosed that they were initially stopped at the gate, and after they eventually gained entrance, the airline officials were not working.
He further disclosed that though “We are just standing, they later gave us access to the airport, we are in the terminal departure hall but no any sign of ticketing going on.
To worsen the situation” Even the Air Conditions are not on, the hall is even very hot now as I’m speaking to you.”
Oyo joins strike
Workers in Oyo State also have joined the nationwide strike as government offices and schools were deserted.
However, some workers were seen loitering around the offices.
The TUC Chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi in a telephone chat with Crest FM radio station, Ibadan said that Oyo State NLC and TUC have complied with the national order.
Police urge labor to comply with legal procedures
The Police high command has called for caution and urged the Labour to halt the action and comply with legal procedures to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the country.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in the early hours of Monday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi
The statement reads, “The Nigeria Police Force while acknowledging the recent announcement by organized labor regarding the intention to embark on nationwide strike action and understanding the right of organized labor to engage in such actions to advocate for the interests of all workers, wishes to emphasize the importance of adherence to the existing laws governing such activities; and calls for caution to prevent a breakdown of law and order within the country.
” In light of the Federal Government’s recent declaration that the planned strike is illegal and premature, the Nigeria Police Force views this action as a potential catalyst for increased tension and political instability.
” The NPF hereby urges organized labor to proceed with the ongoing deliberations at the Tripartite Committee, which is focused on determining a new minimum wage, and shelve the planned strike as such decision is essential to prevent untold hardships on members of the public and maintain order and stability within our country.
” The Nigeria Police Force assures the public that ample deployments have been made across the country to ensure that citizens can go about their lawful duties without hindrance. Therefore, all members of the public are encouraged to remain calm and continue with their lawful daily activities, while organized labor is urged to act responsibly and by the law, prioritizing dialogue and legal avenues to resolving existing grievances.
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