Nationwide Strike: Rivers in Total Blackout Over National Grid Shutdown by Labour
From ERIC MOORE, Port Harcourt
Rivers State on Monday experienced a total blackout as labour unions shutdown the national electric grid following the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) nationwide strike which began on Monday.
The electricity distribution company in Rivers and other parts of the South South, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED), made the announcement on a memo signed by the management of the company, informing its customers in the four coverage states namely Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and parts of Akwa Ibom States.
PHED in the memo that was posted on its social media handle, noted that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), was working hard to recover and stabilise the grid, adding that electricity users would be updated on the status of restoration.
The memo read: “Kindly be informed that we are experiencing a total blackout due to a nationwide grid shutdown by the labour union.
“Our customers in Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and parts of Akwa Ibom are currently out of supply.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria is working to recover and stabilise the grid. We will keep you updated on the status of restoration.”
Public primary and secondary schools in the state, including tertiary institutions are all under lock and key in compliance with the nationwide industrial action.
PentoksNews observed the level of compliance in Port Harcourt, the state capital, noticed primary and secondary school children who had already gotten to the various schools, returning home around after their teachers turned them back due to the strike.
Banks also joined in the strike as their customers could be seen stranded outside their gates.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Secretariat was also totally shut as both entrance and exit gates were closed and locked, as some civil servants that attempted to access their offices were turned back.
A unionist working with one of the state-owned media houses simply identified as Samuel, said, unless otherwise, Tuesday would experience total lockdown.
PentoksNews observed some officials of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on monitoring for compliance by filling stations dealers.
Ends.