Nationwide blackout looms as electricity workers down tools

Nationwide blackout is imminent as electricity workers begin indefinite strike this morning.

The industrial action is declared under the aegis of the national union of electricity employees.

The union said the decision to down tools remained the only option since there was no dialogue with the federal government to resolve the lingering industrial crisis in the sector.

Assistant secretary general of the union, Anthony Sule said the 21-day ultimatum given to minister of power, Saleh Mamman expired at midnight on Tuesday.

Sule, in a statement issued in Jos, the plateau state capital, said the union had no option but to commence an indefinite strike.

Some of the unresolved issues are illegal transfer of union properties to power investors and the alleged refusal by some distribution companies, discos, to remit deducted contributory pension of their members of staff to pension managers.