The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has raised concerns over increasing violence against its members, dangerous working conditions, and financial hardships encountered while on duty. The union warned that without immediate reforms, both the workforce and the nation's already fragile power system could deteriorate further.
Unsafe Working Environment
In a statement, NUEE's acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, highlighted that employees operate under extremely unsafe conditions. Linemen and technicians in the transmission sector face daily threats from kidnappers and bandits. Distribution engineers and technicians are frequently assaulted by hoodlums and community youths, while sales and marketing teams endure severe harassment, intimidation, and abuse while serving the public.
Infrastructure Under Attack
Igwebike noted that the country's electricity infrastructure has become a prime target for vandalism and attacks, leaving technical staff vulnerable during their duties. He maintained that worsening insecurity, deepening poverty, and a collapsing power sector are pushing workers to the brink. Substations are damaged, transmission lines are sabotaged, and entire communities are plunged into darkness, exacerbating the already dire power supply situation.
Failed Privatization
Arguing that privatization has failed to deliver meaningful improvements, Igwebike described the system as a “public disaster and private gains,” with ordinary Nigerians still suffering from unreliable and inadequate electricity. Nigeria's power generation remains below 5,000 megawatts, far below global benchmarks for a population of over 220 million, straining the system and placing enormous pressure on workers.
Call for Urgent Action
Despite the crisis, electricity workers have remained resilient. However, Igwebike insisted that resilience should not be mistaken for acceptance. He called on the Federal Government to take urgent action to address insecurity, improve working conditions, ensure fair wages, and overhaul the failing power sector.
