Electricity Workers Protest Unlawful Arrest, Detention of Members in Anambra
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Electricity Workers in the FIIRSTPOWER Subco of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC have staged protest in Anambra over harassment, intimidation, indiscriminate arrest and detention of their members by the Management of the Company.
The group alleged that FIIRSTPOWER SubCo management is collaborating with the Anti-Robbery Unit of the Nigerian Police Force to inflict the pain on the electricity workers
The Workers through their Union, National Union of Electricity Employees bemoaned the arrest and continued detention of four (4) of their members since Thursday, 31st July which they said was was a clear violation of provisions of the Conditions of Service for Employees of the Company and other agreements with the Management.
While condemning such act in the Company, the Union insisted that offenders should be made to face established internal disciplinary process, and not be treated like armed robbers.
In Onitsha , it was the same scenario as workers of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Onitsha branch poured into the streets in protest to express their deepest displeasure from what they described as alleged kidnap and intimidation of some of their members of staff.
They also voiced out their concerns on the poor salary structure that they have been receiving since 2014 and consistently complained that the management of EEDC have failed to address these concerns.
The Chairman, National Union of Electricity Employee, Onitsha Branch, Comrade Emeka Ndukwu expressed his anger and disappointment at the management of EEDC for the constant intimidation that they have meted out on workers.
He said workers receive poor salary range of 30,000 - 42,000 in a month, not minding the amount of money the company have received in the dispensation of their duties.
He also complained bitterly on how the management used the police to intimidate them and called for the immediate release of their colleagues who were kidnapped and locked up at the correctional centre at Awkuzu.
Workers were seen in front of the EEDC office, Onitsha, with different placards, calling on the management of EEDC to release their colleagues, while others displayed the poor payment structure of the EEDC...
When contacted on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, Ikenga Tochukwu said he has not been briefed on the development.
