A nationwide blackout is looming as power workers join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in a protest strike over President Bola Tinubu’s government’s abrupt revocation of fuel subsidies.
The National Union of Electricity Employees revealed this in a memo signed by its general secretary, Dominic Igwebike, on June 2.
“As a result of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on June 2, 2023 at the Labour House Abuja, over the sudden removal of fuel subsidy, which has caused untold hardship to Nigerians as well as increased inflation in the economy, the NLC has directed that the nationwide withdrawal of Services action will begin on Wednesday, June 7, 2023,” the memo reads.
Electricity workers around the country are scheduled to go on strike at 12 a.m. on Wednesday.
“Please be advised that the nationwide withdrawal of Services will begin at 0.00 hours on Wednesday, June 7, 2023,” the memo continued.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime had planned to discontinue fuel subsidies in June by not include funds for it in the 2023 budget. Mr Tinubu, on the other hand, stated in his inaugural speech on May 29 that “subsidy is gone.
” His announcement sparked fear across the country, with individuals rushing to buy gasoline while oil marketers abruptly raised pump prices.
On May 31, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced a pump price increase, causing fuel prices to jump from N195 to more than N500 across the country.
As residents bemoan Mr Tinubu’s failure to give palliatives to mitigate the effects of the abrupt termination of fuel subsidies, the Nigeria Labour Congress has called a statewide demonstration for Wednesday.
admin
