Breaking News: NLC strike suspension: National grid finally Restored
In a significant turn of events, the national power grid in Nigeria is now operational following the suspension of the strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress. Adebiyi Adeyeye, President of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), confirmed the restoration of the grid, reassuring the public that electricity workers have resumed their duties.
"The strike has been suspended, which means the grid has returned to normal. It is already back online," Adeyeye disclosed in an interview to PUNCH Online on Tuesday.
The labor strike was initiated on Monday to protest the Federal Government's decision to keep the minimum wage capped at N60,000 and maintain the electricity tariff at N206 per kilowatt-hour instead of reverting it to N65/KWh. Even as the power grid has been revived, negotiations between organized labor and the government are expected to resume swiftly, with labor leaders emphasizing the need for a higher minimum wage and reduced electricity tariffs.
Despite the grid's partial restoration, reports suggest that there are still ongoing efforts to bring the entire system back up to full capacity. Adeyeye clarified that the Union leaders did not engage in any hostile activities against workers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria, stressing that the withdrawal of members from the company was carried out in compliance with the labor directive.
As the situation evolves, all eyes are on the progressing negotiations to address the pressing issues of minimum wage increments and electricity tariffs in Nigeria.