FG Says NLC's Shutting Of National Grid During Strike Is Treasonable, Laments Loss Of Revenue

The Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has declared that the national grid shutdown orchestrated by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) constitutes treasonable felony.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who made this known while addressing the National Executive Council of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, urged members of the organised labour to be more circumspect in their demands over national minimum wage and the restoration of old electricity tariff.

Akume lamented the loss of revenue by the Nigerian government due to the action of the organised labour, while he reiterated President Tinubu's commitment to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

The Senate had also expressed worry over the implications of the shutdown of the national grid and disruption of hajj flights, among other actions taken by the Organised Labour during the nationwide strike for a new minimum wage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had provided an explanation for the decision by workers in the electricity sector to shut down the national grid.

In a statement to journalists on Monday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, criticised the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for alleging that the NLC’s monitoring and compliance team had attacked TCN workers at their facilities.

The TCN had announced the complete shutdown of Nigeria’s power grid by labour unions as the strike commenced.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) launched a nationwide industrial action on Monday, protesting against the Federal Government’s proposed N60,000 minimum wage.