Nigerian Workers Threaten National Grid, Telecoms Shutdown Thursday Over Plan to Arrest Ajaero

 

Nigerian workers in telecommunications and electricity sectors have warned the federal government that it would shut down the National grid, and telecom services if the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero is arrested by the Nigeria Police Force.

 

The workers threatened that the shutdown will be carried out on Wednesday.

 

This was contained in separate notices on Tuesday by the General Secretaries of the National Union of Electricity Employees and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees, Dominic Igwebike and Mary Nwosu, respectively.

 

This comes after the police in a letter on Monday summoned Ajaero for questioning on Tuesday over an alleged link to terrorism financing and other allegations.

 

The NLC, president in a letter in response to the Police on Tuesday turned down the invitation because it came late.

 

He, however, fixed Wednesday, August 29 to honor the invitation.

 

Meanwhile, in reaction to the development, NUEE, NUPTE and other unions have vowed to down tools if Ajaero is arrested.

 

According to a notice to members, the NUEE, consisting of workers in Transmission Company of Nigeria said: “That upon any arrest of the NLC President or any other Labour Leader, all workers are to down tools from 12 midnightf 21 August 2024”.

 

Similarly, NUPTE, workers in the postal and telecoms sector in Nigeria followed the direction of NUEE.

 

NLC on Tuesday after a meeting had vowed to embark on a nationwide strike if Ajaero is arrested.

 

The development portends a danger to Nigeria’s economy as electricity and telecoms are the engine room.

 

Recall that on June 3, the National grid was shut down as a blackout hit Nigeria after workers commenced an indefinite strike.