By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—AS members of the Edo State branch of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, joined their colleagues in a nationwide strike action to press for their demands, economic activities were paralyzed yesterday, in Benin City and other major towns in Edo State.

The union commenced the industrial action to press for the payment of their monetization arrears between 2003 and 2009 among other issues.

The Benin Zonal Secretary, Mr. Joseph Ndem, who spoke on the strike action said,  “the strike will not be called off until the Federal Government resolves all outstanding issues with the union.” However, at press time, the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Nuhu Wyas, was said to be holding a meeting with the union officials in Lagos with a view to resolving the issues at stake.

Against the backdrop of the strike action, several business outfits that depend on electricity supply from PHCN, were closed down in Benin,  as most people have resorted to the use of generating sets.