Don't Miss


Home   >   Business   >   Industries   >   Economy   >   Blackouts Persist as Striking PHCN Workers Sabotage Electricity

Blackouts Persist as Striking PHCN Workers Sabotage Electricity

By on August 15, 2012

Power Blackout

Residents across the country are dealing with chronic power outages due to the ongoing strike by PHCN officials. This is despite an announcement from the Ministry of Power, indicating that the power generation in the country had peaked at 4,477.7 Megawatts.

Spokesperson for the Minister, Ogbuagu Anikwe, said in a statement: “The good news is that every power generated is wheeled comfortably. In August, 2010, when Nigeria generated for the first time 3,800MW, the system collapsed within a few minutes because the transmission infrastructure was poorly maintained.”

Despite the increase in power generation, PHCN officials have deliberately turned off the electricity claiming it is their only “weapon” in negotiations against the Federal Government’s privatization plans.

Residents across parts of the country have been denied access to electricity for over a week in some cases due to the grievances the electricity workers have with the government.

Businessnews spoke to the Service Manager at Iwaya PHCN Service outlet yesterday and he said, “We turned off the electricity because we are on strike.”

When asked whether it was fair to drag in hapless citizens into the fight that they are having with the Federal Government. He said, “the residents should take it up with the Federal Government. This is the only weapon we have and we are going to use it. We have families to feed.”

Efforts to get a response from the Ministry of Power concerning the legality and consequences for the PHCN officials sabotaging the power proved abortive.

One Comment

  1. Lucy

    August 15, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Ukrain University Admission/Vocational Jobs.
    ROMAS Srl. Ukrain seeks application from the general public who will want to study in Ukrain
    or gain admission and use it to secure vocational jobs in Sweden and Demark.
    Application is ongoing and it takes 10working days to process your admission/IV letter.
    With Admission/IV letter you secure a visa while we process student’s work permit on arrival.
    Admission ends Novermber..2012..start applying now.
    Contact Details:
    Tel:+380504022816,+380932701873
    Fax:+380932701874
    Email:[email protected]