Electricity Workers Suspend Strike In Empathy With Suffering Consumers, As Makinde Lights Ibadan Up With Solar
The Oasis Reporters
December 13, 2019
Ola had proceeded to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company office in Ibadan to settle his estimated electricity bill that he was given on December 10 only to find the gates barricaded the following day.
Why ? He asked. And the staff he questioned told him they were on strike, at the same time, directing him to a makeshift kiosk at the back of the office complex to pay his bill.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has suspended its strike embarked upon on Wednesday to draw federal government’s attention to the plight of its members.
Following a meeting with officials of the federal government, the union agreed to discontinue the one-day old strike.
According to the National President of NUEE, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who confirmed the outcome of the meeting, the workers’ grievances were conclusively addressed.
He said that all the concerns of the union and its members were addressed at the talks which lasted till the wee hours of today.
Workers at Ibadan Distribution district, IBEDC, said they feel for electricity consumers who receive estimated billings for electricity they did not consume. “Hence bill distribution staff hardly stay when they deliver your bill. They hurry away because they do not want to answer questions about high bills without electricity supply. At times it could be dangerous for our staff who can face attacks from irate consumers.
“Meanwhile, our bosses fire us if we do not deliver the money they need. Whereas electricity supply to the district is poor. Yet they want the money. This is unfair and it is risky for us, hence we are on strike”.
Can’t they generate electricity and serve their consumers who don’t mind paying for it ?
“No. For statutory reasons, we are not permitted to do that, ” our correspondent in Ibadan, South West Nigeria was told.
Meanwhile, Ajaero has said that they “have concluded deliberations and all issues were addressed but we are awaiting implementation. Meanwhile, our strike action is suspended” .
Following the expiration of the 21 day ultimatum issued by NUEE to the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to implement their demands, and the failure of the minister to dialogue with the union before the ultimatum which lapsed midnight Tuesday, a nationwide blackout was imminent as electricity workers began indefinite strike Wednesday morning.
The strike led to the shutting down of most of the offices of Distribution Companies (Discos) across the country.
Meanwhile, electricity supply is still very poor across the country. Without a power generator in Warri, nothing can ever get done. Despite hosting a refinery and several oil companies, Warri city in Delta state is perennially in pitch darkness.
Ibadan is different, because Governor Makinde ignores IBEDC by using solar kits to power very beautiful Christmas trees and lightings at State Secretariat, Iwo Road and many other places in the city. Ibadan is now as beautiful as Aberdeen, especially at night.
Additional reporting: THISDAY
