Residents of Kaduna and neighboring states under the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) have been without power for over two days following an indefinite strike by electricity workers.
The industrial action, which commenced on Monday, is led by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in protest against the alleged termination of over 900 staff members, unpaid pensions, lack of promotions, inadequate work tools, and the non-implementation of the 2024 national minimum wage.
While the union maintains that 900 employees were affected, Kaduna Electric stated that only 450 staff members received disengagement letters, citing a company-wide restructuring.
The Chairman of NUEE’s Kaduna State chapter, Comrade Sheyin Nuhu Wakili, insisted on Tuesday that all outstanding entitlements must be settled before any staff disengagement takes effect. He also revealed that the company had initially agreed to withdraw the termination letters during a meeting with the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday but later failed to uphold the agreement.
Supporting the strike, the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) also declared that electricity supply in Kaduna would remain cut off until the dispute is resolved. SSAEAC Kaduna Branch President, Comrade Baffa Safiyanu Isyaku, urged residents to understand the plight of the affected workers and called on Kaduna Electric to address their concerns.
In response, Kaduna Electric’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, acknowledged the situation and reiterated the company’s commitment to fairness and transparency. He explained that the restructuring process is aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability for the company while assuring customers that efforts are being made to address the matter.
As the impasse continues, residents and businesses in the affected states remain in darkness, with no immediate resolution in sight.
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