Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has vowed that no official of the state will go to Abuja for any meeting with the federal government of Nigeria or the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
The governor added that such meeting is not important “when the citizens of the State have no electricity.
“We hold the FG responsible for inability to asset (sic) its ownership rights over the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). No electricity, no meeting,” he said.
The full statement below:
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.
Muyiwa Adekeye
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Media and Communications)