Electricity workers threaten nationwide strike over Edo 'brutalisation'
- NUEE says its Edo chairman and another member were arrested and beaten by security operatives in Benin City.
- The union gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the return of seized phones and withdrawal of soldiers from BEDC.
- Edo government appealed for calm as the strike left the state in darkness for a fourth day.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) don threaten to extend their strike go nationwide if security operatives no comot from Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) headquarters and return the things wey them seize within 24 hours.
The union talk say their Edo State chairman, William Uwumarogie, and another member, Matthew Eromobor, dem arrest and brutalise them on Thursday night while members dey keep vigil at the BEDC office on Akpakpava Road, Benin City.
Speaking for the union's West Zone on Friday in Benin City, Vice-President David Ehigiamusoe talk say soldiers, mobile policemen and regular police officers carry the two men go between 7:20pm and 8pm.
He talk say them seize their phones and personal belongings and dem release them around 1am on Friday and they still dey receive treatment for hospital.
Ehigiamusoe talk say dem treat the men like armed robbers, and talk say the action violate agreement wey dem reach for conciliation meeting for Abuja say no worker go suffer victimisation.
The Army spokesperson for Edo State, Kennedy Anyanwu, tell Daily Post say the incident no concern the Army and say na no soldiers arrest the union leader. The police spokesperson for the state, ASP Eno Ikoedem, never respond to calls and messages as of the time we dey report.
Strike leave Edo for darkness
The NUEE strike start on Monday over poor pay, no enough safety equipment and bad working conditions. E first cut power for Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states, wey BEDC dey serve.
After conciliation meeting wey Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment call for Abuja on Wednesday through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammadu Dingyadi, the union suspend the strike for Delta, Ondo and Ekiti, leave Edo as the only state wey the strike still dey affect.
Edo Commissioner for Power Paul Usenbo talk say the Abuja meeting address six issues: consequential adjustment, personal protective equipment, staff promotion, staff welfare, salary harmonisation and overtime payments.
He talk say overtime payments go return immediately, while BEDC management get three weeks to resolve the remaining five issues with the unions.
Usenbo appeal to all parties make dem remain calm and put peaceful resolution first so that e no go disturb residents, businesses and healthcare facilities.
The union don ask their members for Edo make dem stay on strike until dem address their grievances. E warn say make dem hold Edo State Government and BEDC management responsible if industrial peace break down.
Wetin go happen next
The union talk say dem go escalate the industrial action nationwide if dem no meet their demands after the 24-hour notice.
Edo residents and businesses suppose prepare for more power outages while talks dey continue.
