…as electricity workers join strike
…importers lament as port operations shut
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Tuesday refuted reports of a national blackout due to the ongoing strike by organised labour.
Ndidi Mbah, head of public affairs at TCN in a statement said, “We hereby note that the national grid is intact and supplying bulk electricity to distribution load centres nationwide.
“As of when issuing this statement, the TCN National Control Centre Osogbo which controls bulk power transmission nationwide, is actively operational.
Read also: Nigerians face blackout as electricity workers join NLC strike
“We would appreciate that reports are made with a sense of responsibility not just to cause panic.”
The TCN position comes amid growing fear among Nigerians of the possibility of long hours of nationwide blackout following the decision of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) to fully join the strike.
The indefinite strike which began on Tuesday, November 14, is called by the organised labour to protest the brutalisation of Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Owerri last week allegedly by persons believed to be loyal to the Imo Statement government. The NLC and its affiliate unions were in Owerri to protest against unresolved issues with the state government.
The leadership of NUEE said it directed its members to fully comply with the directive of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark to ensure the effectiveness of the strike.
Dominic Igwebike, the acting general secretary, of the union, in a notice, urged the withdrawal of services nationwide from 0.00 hours of Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
“All national, state and chapter executives are directed to mobilise our members in total compliance with this directive.
“Please note that withdrawal of Services nationwide commences from 0.00 hours of Tuesday, November 14, 2023. Please ensure total compliance,” he said.
Meanwhile, economic and commercial activities have been disrupted at the nation’s seaports as Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) shut down operations on Tuesday.
BusinessDay noticed that the Apapa and Tin-Can Island seaport gates were locked on Tuesday. Our correspondent who monitored the situation noticed that a crowd outside the Apapa port as staff members were denied entry into the port.
Tony Anakebe, a licensed customs agent, told our BusinessDay that workers have crippled port business today (Tuesday), implying that importers would be forced to pay demurrage.
He expressed worry that the indefinite strike would have heavy economic implications for port users and the importer.
According to him, clearing agents would not allow the strike action to exceed seven days as the economic implication would result in a protest from the agents if the strike is not called off after seven days.
Maritime workers also prevented port users from accessing their offices, thereby, disrupting economic and commercial activities at the port.
Read also: Tinubu halts electricity tariff hike, subsidy continues says Minister
Yusuf Liadi, a port user told newsmen that the protesting workers prevented clearing agents and workers from accessing their various offices. According to him, cargo-laden and empty container-laden trucks were prevented from accessing the seaports.
“We have been here since 7am and we can’t access the port. The labour unions have shut operation, no truck go in or come out,” he stated.
Mukaila Oladimeji, another user, said that he was returning home because he couldn’t access the port. He said that he has some cargo to exit out of the port but with the strike action, that won’t be possible today anymore.
”I have to return home. I can’t access the port to exit my cargo. The importer will have to pay the terminal operator and shipping company additional storage and demurrage charges for today,” he said.
