The National President, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Biyi Adeyeye, has issued a stern warning to all Discos Managing Directors over their plan to sack some of their personnel.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent, Comrade Adeyeye described the plan as barbaric and act of wickedness from the Discos. He noted that his union will do everything possible to halt the plan because most of the affected workers are trying their best in meeting up with the targets.
“It’s so unfortunate that Discos are embarking on mass sacking of workers at this critical time in the life of our country. This ill-advised decision is not only unacceptable but also a clear indication of the management’s lack of empathy and understanding of the plight of the workers.
“It is the responsibility of the Discos to make available transformers to communities, but reverse is the case. Most communities contribute money to get transformers. This is a failure from Discos.
“As you are aware, the Nigerian electricity sector is already grappling with numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, inefficient supply chains, and a dearth of skilled manpower. In this context, sacking workers en masse is not only counterproductive but also a recipe for chaos.
“Let me remind you that the workers you are so cavalierly sacking are the same people who have been toiling day and night to keep the lights on, despite the odds. They are the ones who have been working tirelessly to ensure that electricity is delivered to homes, businesses, and industries, often in the face of overwhelming challenges.
“I want to emphasize that the lack of logistics and resources is not a justification for sacking workers. Rather, it is a clarion call for the management to get its priorities right and address the systemic issues that are hindering the effective delivery of electricity services.
“Let me be clear: the NUEE under my leadership will not be watching while workers are being unfairly sacked. We will not hesitate to take all the necessary steps to protect the rights and interests of our members. We will mobilize our members, engage with stakeholders, and explore all available legal and industrial relations avenues to resist this unjust decision.
“To the MDs of the DISCOS, I say this: you have a choice to make. You can choose to work with us to address the challenges facing the sector, or you can choose to continue down the path of confrontation and conflict. If you choose the latter, be prepared to face the consequences.
“I call on Discos to immediately halt the process of mass sacking of workers. Instead, let us work together to find solutions to the challenges facing the sector. Let us prioritize the welfare and well-being of the workers, who are the backbone of the electricity industry.
“We will be watching your actions closely, and we will not hesitate to take action if you fail to heed our warnings.” He declared
The National President however urged the Federal Government to intervene, stressing that “We urge the Presidency and National Assembly to intervene and advise the MDs of the DISCOS to halt the mass sacking of workers. This move will not only avert impending chaos but also demonstrate a commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerian workers. We believe that a collaborative approach can help address the challenges facing the sector rather than resorting to mass layoffs.
