By Abraham Peter, Kaduna
Hopes for a meeting in Abuja between the Federal Government, the Kaduna State Government, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to resolve the on-going face-off between the warring parties has been dashed by Governor Nasir el Rufai, who has declared that neither he nor any government official will be at the mediatory meeting, if there is no restoration of power supply in the state.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced at the weekend it shut power supply to Kaduna based on pressure from the NLC.
Recall that the NLC called off its 5-day warning strike after three days in deference to the Federal Government’s peace meeting in Abuja for Thursday.
el Rufai in a message said, “No official of Kaduna State will go to Abuja for any meeting with FGN or NLC when the citizens of the State have no electricity. We hold the FGN responsible for inability to assert its ownership rights over TCN. No electricity, no meeting.”
He reiterated his position in a tweet:
His spokesman followed up with a statement that reads: “The Kaduna State Government is yet to see evidence that the NLC is backing off from its campaign of economic and social sabotage against the people of the State.
“Electric power is yet to be restored, after it was shutdown at dawn on Sunday, 16th May 2021, in brazen violation of the laws protecting essential services and infrastructure. That action removed any basis for state government officials to meet the NLC last Sunday. Denying our people electricity about 18 hours to the advertised commencement of their organised sabotage was akin to putting a gun on the government’s head. Government has a lawful duty not to indulge blackmail.
“Restoring electricity is vital to relieving some of the pain that needless acts of lawlessness have inflicted on our people. The unimpeded provision of essential services is vital to civilised order. Those who have disrupted it should promptly reverse themselves, not expect that it will be a matter for negotiation, much less being viewed as a precondition. KDSG will not participate in such a negotiation or countenance one whilst our people are still being denied their right to electricity.”
