Nationwide blackout as transmission workers shutdown national grid

Striking workers of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Wednesday shutdown the electricity national grid causing blackouts across the country.

The strike by the workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, was triggered by the directive of the TCN Board that all Principal Managers who are in acting capacity must undergo promotion interviews.

The impact of the strike began unfolding at 10am Wednesday when the grid dropped from 4,149 Megawatts recorded at 6am to 2,600MW. The grid capacity continued to drop as more workers at transmission stations downed tools.

It fell further to 939.4MW at 3pm and finally recorded zero generation at 4pm.

NUEE General Secretary, Joe Ajaero had in the letter calling out the workers for strike said the directive for the promotion interview was in contravention of the workers’ condition of service and career progression path.

The strike action went on as planned despite the intervention of the Minister of State Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba who had appealed for a two weeks grace to allow the government address the issues raised by the workers.

It also followed the reversal of the TCN Board on the promotion interview directive.