The Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nasarawa, Kogi, parts of Edo, Niger, and Kaduna States have been thrown into darkness following an industrial action by electricity workers.
The areas are mainly under the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, (AEDC). While the office was practically deserted in the early hours of yesterday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, (TCN), said available bulk power meant for the DisCos could not be delivered as power evacuation from injection substations across the AEDC franchise area has been disrupted.
The Deputy National President, Nigerian Labour Congress and National Secretary-General of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joe Ajero, did not immediately respond to phone calls by newsmen over the development, but it was gathered that the strike action was necessitated by pension-related issues, liabilities, non-release of intervention fund by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others.
While workers were prevented from entering the facility, it was gathered that the intervention of the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, is expected to provide a temporary solution to the crisis.
Privatised in 2013, the power sector, aside from failing to perform optimally, has been in financial crisis, requiring perpetual intervention funds from the government.
