National News
Minister urges labour unions not to shut down power supply
The Federal Ministry of Power has urged labour unions not to go through with their threat to shut down power supply in the Federal Capital Territory and other states.
This was contained in a statement by the Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Jedy Agba.
The statement reads:
“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Power has been drawn to a threat by a section of Labour unions in the power sector, to the effect that it would shut down power supply in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
“That union is anchoring this threat on a situation in the ownership tussle of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), which has made the company fail in some responsibilities to workers.
“We are also aware that the Unions in the sector have been part of the solution to this problem and therefore know the facts and stage of the efforts towards solving the problem, as far as workers rights are concerned.
“We also note that such problems are not peculiar to the AEDC. The Federal Ministry of Power, therefore, calls on the Union to be cautious and responsible to avoid endangering the fragile state of our electricity infrastructure which the present Government is working hard to strengthen.
“It is also worthy of note that Labour matters have a procedure to address them and the unions are enjoined to follow due process to pursue its legitimate right. Doing the contrary, have other consequences including economic sabotage and related offences.
“The Federal Ministry of Power has taken up the leadership of efforts to engage relevant stakeholders including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to resolve this problem very soon.
“All Nigerians are hereby enjoined to be alert as we plead with the aggrieved unions to toe the line of peace and dialogue.
