ASUU Strike: NUEE threatens electricity shutdown nationwide.

The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, yesterday in Enugu, joined other bodies and unions threatening to shutdown the country over the ongoing ASUU strike.

The Union had issued what it termed final warning to the Federal Government, to within seven days resolve the disagreement between it and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, or risk a total shutdown of electricity facilities in the country.

The Union expressed its anger over the prolonged strike, saying that it could no longer hold back and see people in leadership positions destroy the nation, especially the academic sector.

Speaking at a training organized for labour leaders in Enugu, the General Secretary of NUEE, Mr Joe Ajaero, said that electricity workers across the country would be directed to join other progressive labour unions “to shutdown the country” in solidarity with ASUU and in disapproval of the manner the lingering strike is been handled by the government.

He said: “We can no longer sit back and watch this disturbing drama going on between the Federal government and ASUU. If the strike is not addressed within the next one week, NUEE and other progressive unions, will shut down the country.

“It is unfortunate that those in power are not bothered about the closure of the universities. They are less concerned because none of their children are studying in Nigerian universities.

“Their children are overseas just as they travel overseas for medical attention because they have allowed our hospitals to die. Whether our children are out of school or not they are not bothered but we are going to join our children to stay at home from next week.”

Ajaero advocated for a legislation that could stop government officials from sending their children abroad to study, so they can take issues affecting the sector seriously.

“Our public institutions are dead because those unpatriotic leaders have nothing to do with them but when they are banned from travelling overseas to access improved facilities, they will have no option than to look inward and address our numerous challenges,” he added.