Residents of Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states are battling with a blackout as workers of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees, commenced an indefinite strike on Tuesday.
News About Nigeria gathered that the industrial action follows a protest by the workers, who allege unjust treatment by the company’s management.
The workers cited several grievances, including the non-remittance of six years’ pension contributions, non-payment of death benefits for deceased staff, failure to provide exit packages, the dismissal of seven staff members in Zaria, and an alleged plan to terminate the employment of over 1,000 workers.
The management of Kaduna Disco, in response to the strike, condemned the action, describing it as “completely unjustified”.
Abdulazeez Abdullahi, the Head of Corporate Communication, slammed the union for choosing to strike at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, causing further inconvenience to the public.
“For the union to choose this path at the very start of the holy month of Ramadan and inflict more discomfort on hapless Nigerians by embarking on an ill-advised strike and forcing staff from carrying out their legitimate duties says a lot about its motive,” he said.
Abdulazeez addressed the union’s demand for the payment of outstanding pension arrears, stating that these were historical debts accumulated under two previous managements.
He questioned the union’s timing, suggesting that their failure to prioritise these payments earlier raises questions about their motives.
“One wonders why the union failed to prioritise the payments then until now. This is a clear indication that the union has other motives yet unknown to us.”
As the strike persists, concerns are growing about the impact on the affected states, especially during the month of Ramadan, when electricity demand is typically high.
