The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has been shut down as workers embarked on an indefinite strike over an alleged plan by the management to sack over 900 employees.
The strike, which began on Monday, is also in protest of other grievances, including non-payment of outstanding pension to retirees, inadequate provision of necessary work tools, lack of promotions for deserving employees, and non-implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage.
The workers, under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), also accused the management of high-handedness and disregard for industrial agreements.
The Punch reports that the Kaduna Electric management in a letter dated January 31, 2025 to the affected workers, directed them to hand over the company’s property in their possession to the human resources department immediately, while plans to pay them their severance packages were underway.
The letter signed by the Deputy Managing Director of the KADECO, Abubakar Mohammed, notified the affected workers that their services were no longer needed by the company effective from January 31, 2025.
The workers under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) accused the management of high-handedness and fragrant disregard for all industrial agreements.
The Chairman of NUEE, Kaduna State Council, Comrade Sheyin Nuhu Wakili, described the planned sack as “unacceptable” and vowed that the union would resist it.
He also listed other grievances, including the failure of the management to provide exit benefits to employees who resigned or retired five years ago.
“The management has terminated the employment of 10 senior staff members without adhering to the company’s conditions of service. Despite our interventions and agreements from previous meetings, these actions have not been fully implemented.
“To our dismay, we have learnt that the management has initiated the termination of over 900 additional staff members. This is unacceptable, and we will not allow it to happen,” he added.
The development has sparked concerns about the potential impact on electricity supply in the state.
The management of KADECO has yet to comment on the strike.
The strike has paralyzed activities at the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, with workers blocking the entrance of the corporate headquarters and preventing workers and customers from entering the premises.
Meanwhile, the entire state of Kaduna has been thrown into darkness following the strike embarked upon by staff members of Kaduna Electric.
The strike, which began on Sunday midnight, has resulted in a total blackout across the state, leaving residents without electricity.
Residents of Kaduna have expressed frustration and disappointment over the prolonged blackout, which has disrupted economic and social activities in the state.
“I am a small business owner, and the blackout has affected my business greatly,” said Mrs. Gladys Akpo, a resident NBTE Quarters along Post Office Road in Chikun LGA of the state. “I urge the government and the management of Kaduna Electric to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” she added.
Kaduna Electric Workers Embark On Indefinite Strike Over Mass Sacking is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
