DO YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT US? CONSUMERS ASK NUEE MEMBERS IN JOS

Nnabugwu Chizoba

Reactions condemning the speech credited to the staff and members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) while in a protest against alleged poor conditions of service in Jos Electricity Distribution Company has continued to come in from residents of Jos, the capital of Plateau State.

Most of those who spoke to our reporter have condemned in strongly terms, the interview credited to Comrade Musa Ayiga, and Comrade Anthony Sule, for alluding to the masses as being part of the reasons for the protest embarked upon by the Union. According to them, the two Comrades did that to attract the sympathy of the consumers, so as to possibly support their protest.

You would recall that Comrade Musa Ayiga the Vice President of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), North East Zone, in an interview with Journalists during a recent protest of the Union in Jos, was quoted as saying that, “This protest is all about Nigeria and Nigerians. We are fighting for the rights of Nigerians. The Union as you know is the voice of the voiceless”.

You would also recall equally that, Comrade Anthony Sule, the Assistant General Secretary of NUEE, while contributing on the same issue in Jos was also quoted, noting that “Consumer problems are not attended to as that is not their priority”, referring to the authorities of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company.  

 It is with regard to these statements credited to the two officers of the NUEE in their respective interview that the electricity consumers in the City of Jos, have reacted to as follows:

Mr. Kwarkas Solomon while discussing with a reporter of this medium said “To the extent that the Staff of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company are Nigerians, there is nothing to argue, how much more quarrel for in the interview, especially as it has to do with the comment of the National Vice President of the Union”. However, if that statement is about the plight of the electricity consumers, in Jos, they are only being political”.

On his part Shegun Adeoye noted that “the provision of quality service to the masses in the whole areas that the Company covers is the last thing in the mind of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company, and the Union is aware of this. The only reason they filed out to protest is because the workers have been affected by the obviously disorganized and ill equipped management team of the Company”. 

On the strength of the above reactions by the electricity consumers in the city of Jos our reporter has decided to probe further into the specific happenings that have given vent to the feeling of disappointment and anger, being noticed, in relation to JEDC operations.

  As usual will keep you (her esteemed reader) posted on this and other issues.