Operations at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Port Harcourt Region, have been brought to a halt as members of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) shut down offices across the region in protest of unresolved management and labour issues.
The industrial action, which began Friday morning, affected TCN regional offices in Port Harcourt, Uyo, Alaoji (Aba), Afam, and Owerri. The facilities were placed under lock and key by union members enforcing the shutdown directive.
Speaking with our correspondent, Comrade Innocent Lord-Douglas, Deputy General Secretary of SSAEAC South-South/South-East, said the union’s action was necessitated by repeated cases of intimidation and unfair treatment of workers by the management.
“We got information this morning to shut down all TCN offices under Protocol Region 103, and that is what we have done,” he said. “This action is for the benefit of staff. We will continue to update them as discussions progress.”
Lord-Douglas emphasized that the union’s stance was not against workers but aimed at safeguarding their rights and dignity in the workplace.
“Whatever we are doing is to protect our members. We will never allow intimidation in any form. Everyone deserves respect in the system, no matter their position,” he declared.
The union leader revealed that the shutdown followed repeated unresolved cases of assault and harassment of staff in the region.
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“This is not the first time we are raising concerns. Similar incidents happened in Alaoji and other stations. We warned that if it happens again, we will take decisive action. The management’s failure to address these issues left us with no choice,” he added.
While essential operators were initially allowed to continue limited duties, Lord-Douglas stated that the union would escalate the action if no response was received from TCN headquarters by midday.
The union has urged all workers to remain calm and comply with directives pending resolution of the dispute, assuring them of full protection and accountability.
