Labour Strike: Nationwide Blackout In Nigeria As TCN Shuts Down National Grid

In a dramatic turn of events, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has shut down the national grid, plunging the entire country into darkness.

This drastic measure was taken in solidarity with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike action, which commenced on Monday.

The NLC had declared a nationwide strike over the federal government’s failure to accept their demands regarding the new minimum wage.

Despite last-minute efforts by the National Assembly to avert the strike, the labour union proceeded with the industrial action.

According to reports, the TCN’s load allocation platform showed zero megawatts allocated to all eleven electricity distribution companies (Discos).

This shutdown has resulted in a nationwide blackout, forcing businesses and individuals to rely on generators.

In a statement, TCN’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Ndudi Mbah, confirmed that the grid shutdown was carried out by NLC members.

He stated that the forced shutdown at the Benin station, where workers were driven out of the office, resulted in a national grid collapse affecting other substations.

The statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in a blackout nationwide.

The national grid shutdown occurred at about 2:19 am this morning, 3rd June 2024.”

The TCN has begun efforts to restore power to the national grid, but the impact of the shutdown is already being felt across the country.

The strike action has crippled industries dependent on power supply, and other key sector unions, including NUPENG, MWUN, and NUBIFIE, have instructed their members to comply with the strike.

The minimum wage negotiation between the NLC, TUC, and the federal government has been ongoing, with the union proposing a new wage of N615,000, later reduced to N495,000.

However, the government insists on paying N60,000, citing sustainability concerns.

The strike action has raised concerns about the potential economic impact, with many industries reliant on power supply.

The situation is being closely monitored, and efforts to resolve the dispute are ongoing.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook