*Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger Also Impacted
A major blackout looms in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and three states as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) today shut down the offices of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger over the mass sacking of over 900 employees.
Reports said the disco’s headquarters in Abuja, some parts of the nation’s capital and other offices in Kogi, Minna, Niger, and Nasarawa States were closed this morning
This comes a day after the NLC, led by its President, Joe Ajaero, picketed AEDC’s headquarters over the controversial disengagement of the workers.
Explaining the crisis, Ajaero said it dates back to about six months when AEDC management claimed the disengagement would affect only workers who had reached retirement age or were on the verge of retiring,adding, however, that the reverse was what played out.
“At that time, the union intervened based on that understanding. No responsible labour leader would oppose the exit of workers who have legitimately reached retirement age. The majority of those affected were not at retirement age.
“Some had not even spent up to five or six years in service. In fact, many had only worked for two to three years. That is the height of deceit,” he declared.
NLC on Tuesday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to AEDC management to resolve the matter or face escalated industrial action that could cripple electricity supply in the nation’s capital and the three states.
“If nothing is done within that time, we cannot guarantee power supply. The workers who keep the system running will stay at home, and if they are not at work, the system will naturally be affected,” he warned.
