Nigeria’s power sector is facing a major crisis as electricity distribution companies (Discos) and workers threaten to embark on a nationwide strike following a series of military attacks on their facilities and personnel.
The attacks, which have resulted in injuries and damage to property, have been condemned by stakeholders in the sector, who are demanding action from the Federal Government to address the situation.
The latest attack occurred on March 14, when men of the Nigerian Army invaded the Eko Disco substation in Badagry, Lagos, over a power outage. The soldiers abducted two members of staff and tortured them, according to eyewitnesses. This incident came just a week after men and officers of the Nigerian Air Force invaded the corporate headquarters of Ikeja Electric in Alausa, Lagos, brutalizing a Newspapers correspondent and other journalists.
The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has condemned the attacks, describing them as “unwarranted” and “unacceptable.” The CEO of ANED, Sunday Oduntan, expressed concern that the Federal Government’s inaction on the Ikeja attack may have emboldened the Army to attack the Disco office in Badagry. Oduntan warned that the attacks could lead to a nationwide strike by electricity workers and Discos, which would have severe consequences for the economy.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if the attacks on electricity workers and Discos continue. The union condemned the recent attacks and emphasized that the safety and dignity of its workforce must be upheld. In a press statement, the NUEE acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, warned that the union would not hesitate to take drastic action if the government fails to address the situation.
The attacks on electricity workers and Discos could have severe consequences for the economy, which is already struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. A nationwide strike by electricity workers and Discos would lead to power outages, which would affect businesses, industries, and households. The strike would also lead to a loss of revenue for the government, which is already facing a revenue shortfall.
Stakeholders in the Nigeria’s power sector are calling on the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the situation. They are demanding that the government investigates the attacks and brings the perpetrators to justice. They are also calling on the government to provide adequate security for electricity workers and Discos, and to take steps to prevent future attacks.
The attacks on electricity workers and Discos are a major concern for the power sector and the economy as a whole. The Federal Government must take immediate action to address the situation and prevent future attacks. The government must also provide adequate security for electricity workers and Discos, and take steps to prevent future attacks. Failure to do so could lead to a nationwide strike, which would have severe consequences for the economy.