The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed the shutdown of the National grid following the industrial dispute declared by the two in-house unions.
In a statement released today August 17, the general manager, public affairs, TCN, Ndidi Mbah, confirmed this development, adding that efforts are being made to restore power and resolve the industrial dispute.
“The incident occurred at 15:01Hrs, today after several 330kV transmission lines and 33kV feeder-lines across the power system network had been switched off by the union members, resulting in generation-load imbalance and multiple voltage escalations at critical stations and substations.
Regrettably, this is coming weeks after we had emerged from a hectic grid management regime, precipitated by the paucity of generation, which we grappled with for a couple of months.
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It would be recalled, in tandem with the initiative of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on Partial Activation of Contracts coupled with the stream of interventions by the ministry of power and other stakeholders in the value chain-grid generation (at Peak) had reached 4,830.69MW as at yesterday, the 16th of August, 2022.
In spite of this setback, we are set to restore the grid as quickly as possible. The ministries of power and labour & employment are currently meeting with the union Officials in order to resolve the issues.
The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry appreciates the understanding of our customers — within and outside the country. Enduring mechanisms are being instituted to avert a situation of this kind, going forward.”the statement in part read
Today, members of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees NUEE began an indefinite strike. The striking workers are among other things protesting the non-payment of outstanding arrears owed to former workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the suspension of conditions of service and career path for workers.
