As another strike looms, Nigerians warn Labour to steer clear of national grid
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Amidst speculations of resumption of the suspended strike by the organised labour on Tuesday June 11, concerned Nigerians have urged organized labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to steer clear of the national grid.
In various comments on X handle on Monday, the unions were urged not to shut down the national grid following fears of lifting the suspended industrial action.
They made the plea while reacting to organized labour’s rejection of the N62,000 minimum wage proposed by the federal government.
TheNiche reports that the organized labour on Monday rejected the proposed N62,000 minimum wage by President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Describing the offer as a ‘starvation wage,’ labour threatened to shut down the country if the federal government failed to attend to their demands.
Recall that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced the shutdown of the national grid by organized labour during strike action last week, resulting in total blackout nationwide.
However, power was restored all over the country following the suspension of the strike by the NLC and TUC for a week.
But following the threat by the NLC and TUC to go on and resume the strike action if the meeting between the organized labour and the federal government on Monday ends in deadlock, Nigerians urged labour not to throw the country into darkness.
Reacting to the news of a looming strike, Sir David Onyemaizu states “I’m not saying NLC shouldn’t go on strike, but whatever they do, make dem no touch that National Grid.”
“A lot of people do not earn a minimum wage. They don’t deserve to suffer for a course that doesn’t concern them,” LJ Saviour stated.
For X user simply identified as Odeto, “shutting down the national grid is evil.”
“The most pressing concern is people in hospitals. There are people whose treatment, comfort, or security requires electricity, and there are hospitals without alternative power sources. Shutting down the national grid is evil, plain and simple,” Odeto added.
Jack, in his reaction, appealed to the NLC and TUC to steer clear of the national grid so soccer-loving fans would watch the 2024 Euros and Copa America.
Jack said, “Do what you have to but keep your hands off the National Grid this time. For the sake of some of us who want to watch Euros and other patriotic citizens who care about people in hospitals who need light in the ICU.”