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BREAKING: Blackout As Electricity Workers Shut Down National Grid
In line with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) directive to strike on Monday over the new minimum wage, electricity workers have shut down the National Grid, causing a nationwide blackout.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, on Monday morning.
According to TCN, workers were forced out of their duty posts, and some were beaten and injured at various power facilities. TCN’s attempts to restore the grid have been hindered by the unionists.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in a nationwide blackout. The national grid shutdown occurred at approximately 2:19 am this morning, June 3, 2024.
“At about 1:15 am, the Benin Transmission Operator, under TCN’s Independent System Operations unit, reported that all operators were expelled from the control room, and those who resisted were beaten and injured. Consequently, the Benin Area Control Center was brought to zero without any control or supervision.
“Other transmission substations shut down by the Labour Union include Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo. Some transmission lines were also opened due to the union’s activities.
“On the power generation side, generating units from various stations were forced to shut down. The Jebba Generating Station had to shut down one unit, and three more units followed due to high frequency, leading to system instability and the eventual grid shutdown at 2:19 am.
“However, at about 3:23 am, TCN began grid recovery using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to supply electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. Despite our efforts, the Labour Union continues to obstruct grid recovery nationwide.
“We will continue striving to recover and stabilize the grid to restore normal bulk electricity transmission to distribution load centers across the nation,” TCN stated.
Dangote Refinery has announced that it will need to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to low interest from Nigerian marketers. The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are purchasing its fuel.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared these details during an X Space session hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted the challenges facing both the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Edwin explained, “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the remaining 95 to 97 percent has to be exported,” referring to the local sales of the refinery’s products.
This situation arises as the NNPCL’s deadline for adjusting the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution approaches without a clear plan in sight. It is worth noting that while Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced the refinery’s initial petrol rollout, its distribution to marketers is contingent upon NNPCL’s decisions.
The final sixteen teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia have been determined following the conclusion of the group stage.
In recent matches, Ghana triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-1, and Japan secured a 2-0 victory against Austria.
As a result, Japan has advanced to the Round of 16, joining the other 15 teams in this knockout stage.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The full lineup for the Round of 16 is as follows:
- Spain vs Canada
- Brazil vs Cameroon
- Colombia vs South Korea
- Mexico vs USA
- North Korea vs Austria
- Germany vs Argentina
- Netherlands vs France
- Japan vs Nigeria
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of widespread resignations among its soldiers due to issues like corruption and low morale.
In a statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, dismissed these reports as unfounded.
A news outlet had alleged that numerous Nigerian soldiers were resigning because of corruption and low morale. However, the statement condemned these allegations as misleading and a deliberate attempt to create discontent and undermine the Nigerian Army’s reputation and the dedication of its personnel.
Major General Nwachukwu clarified that, similar to other military organizations worldwide, service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary rather than mandatory. This means that personnel have the freedom to resign following established procedures.
He explained that the resignation process allows personnel to prepare and manage their entitlements, including pensions and gratuities, as outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers).
Contrary to the report’s implications, the statement emphasized that Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is a priority under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
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