National grid drops to 0MW, as TCN workers picket substations across Nigeria
Oredola Adeola
The staff of Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have completely shut down all power transmission substations across the country, as national grid system dropped completely to 0MW on Wednesday, thereby disrupting power supply to all the eleven electricity Distribution companies(DisCos).
This is coming on the backdrop of the decision by electricity workers to picket TCN headquarters and stations nationwide from Wednesday.
EnergyDay’s check showed that peak power generation was 4,829.50 MegaWatts(MW), as the TCN was unable to transmit power to the eleven electricity Distribution Companies as of 3:30pm on Wednesday. This was based on data obtained by our correspondent via Nigeria System Operator, NSO’s portal.
The reason for the strike according to Joe Ajaero, NUEE General Secretary was over the directive issued by the TCN Board that all Principal Managers, PMs, in acting capacity going to Assistant General Managers, AGM, must appear for a promotion interview.
The Union said the directive is in contravention of our Conditions of Service and Career Progression Paths and unilaterally done without the relevant Stakeholders.
Ikeja Electric in a statement addressed to its customers on Wednesday said, “Due to the ongoing nationwide picketing of TCN substations by aggrieved workers, we are currently experiencing disruption of power supply as most stations within our network have been shut down.
IE however appealed to the customers to bear with its, promising amicable resolution by the relevant stakeholders.
Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution company in a statement also informed its customers that the industrial action embarked upon by NUEE, has affected some of its feeders/locations have been shut down by the Union.
Kaduna Electric in a statement also confirmed the interruption of supply witnessed in its franchise state.
AbdulAzeez Abdullahi, spokesperson of Kaduna Electric said, “The interruption is due in Kaduna, Kebbi , Sokoto and Zamfara was due to the ongoing disputes between the NUEE , Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) the TCN.
The DisCo however promised to restore as soon as the contending issues are resolved
PHED said, “we regret any inconveniences caused by this situation and assure you that once that situation changes power supply will be restored.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company(AEDC) has also in a statement confirmed disruption on its network.
The DisCo in a statement also said, “ We wish to inform our distinguished customers that the interruption being witnessed in our franchise area is due to the ongoing industrial issues between NUEE and TCN.
“We assure all stakeholders that we are working hard to ensure that a mutual and amicable settlement is attained and power is restored forthwith.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) on its part announced that power supply disruption within the South-East was as a result of strike by electricity workers.
Mr Emeka Ezeh, Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC, on Wednesday in a statement, said, “Following the industrial strike embarked upon by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), power stations operations across the franchise area of EEDC plc have been disrupted.
“As a result of this, all our feeders are out of supply and this has affected supply to our esteemed customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states,” he said.
According to him, consultations are ongoing among critical stakeholders in the power sector to address the issue and possibly restore supply.
“The management of EEDC hereby encourages customers and neighbourhood associations to be vigilant and protect electrical installations within their environment against elements who might take advantage of this outage to vandalise installations,” he said.
The EEDC spokesman also appealed for continued patience and understanding of the company’s esteemed customers “while this is resolved”.
Meanwhile Ajaero, on Wednesday noted that the Union is open to decisive discussions with relevant actors in order to find long-term solutions and avoid the sector’s total collapse.
