A nationwide blackout is imminent in Nigeria following the worsening dispute between Dangote Refinery and oil workers.
NATIONAL POST recalls that the crisis climaxed last week with Dangote Refinery sacking 800 Nigerian workers.
In a retaliatory move, the workers, under the aegis of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, ordered shutdown of crude oil supply to the refinery.
The Trade Union Congress, TUC, on its part, has said it would join the PENGASSAN action in solidarity.
Electricity generation companies have now said the country is headed for a nationwide blackout.
GenCos said the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company has issued a notification to comply with the PENGASSAN directive for members to cut gas supplies.
The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies, Joy Ogaji, said the move would lead to the shutdown of the country’s Thermal GenCos.
According to her, if the directive is implemented any time soon, there would be imminent darkness in the country, as hydro generation plants cannot sustain the country's national grid.
She, however, assured that development is being monitored to see if the federal government would intervene.
"Please all be notified of the imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system," she stated.
