By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka
There is tension at the offices of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, across South-East by Electricity Workers under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE.
There is protest already across Anambra but will be escalated to other South Eastern States from Monday, and then nationwide from Tuesday, next week.
At the Zonal Headquarters Awka, NUEE workers shut the premises and caused traffic along Zik’s Avenue, even as they demanded immediate release of their members in detention at the Armed Robbery Unit of the Nigerian Police at Awkuzu as they are not criminals.
The protesters carried placards which read: Unilateral stoppage of staff Medical, No promotion for Two years, Late payment of salary among others, even though they said the protest was about intimidation of their members by EEDC using Police.
The union called for application of internal process of dealing with infraction issues as provided in the Conditions of Service instead of civil litigation.
According to the Deputy President South, National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Engr. Sir Joe Oforka the protest is against the management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC for unnecessarily harassing their members.
NUEE lamented the inhuman and callous treatment meted at the members of staff in the employ of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC)’s management.
They alleged that the Management of the Company has with collaboration of the Police, continued to harass, arrest and detain workers at the Armed Robbery Unit of the police Force located at Awkuzu on charges of extortion in the field.
The Union has made various entreaties for the release of the members held under custody for over five days, and apply internal mechanism to deal with the situation, but the management refused to effect their release.
The Union leadership therefore directed for a peaceful protest demanding for their immediate release and stoppage of further treating workers like common criminals.
Engr.Sir Joe Oforka , Deputy President South, National Union of Electricity Employees was unhappy with the methodology of treating workers as hardened criminals.
They said unless the detainees are released, and Management signs an agreement with the Union to stop the menace, going forward, the protest will take a new dimension.
