Employees of Kaduna Disco initiated a strike, calling for the revocation of the company's license
Employees of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company have ceased their duties, citing grievances such as perceived unfair treatment and unresolved industrial disputes. Organized under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the workers are calling for the revocation of the company's license. They have obstructed access to the company's headquarters in Kaduna, barring entry to other staff members and customers.
The workers are presenting a list of demands, including the settlement of six years' worth of unremitted pensions, payment of death benefits for deceased staff, compensation packages for those leaving the company, and the reversal of the unfair termination of seven staff members in Zaria. Additionally, they are opposing an alleged plan to terminate the employment of over 1,000 company workers.
During a conversation with Channels Television amid the protest, Ayuba Pukat, the Organising Secretary for the North West region of NUEE, stated, "We are here to assert our rights as employees of Kaduna Electric, addressing various issues concerning the welfare of our staff.
Our staff's pension contributions have not been forwarded for a period exceeding 72 months, despite them continuing to work. If you check with your pension managers, they will confirm that the company has failed to remit the deducted amounts. This constitutes a criminal offense, warranting the seizure of Kaduna Electric's license.
Consequently, employees are receiving only half of their salaries, with the remaining portion not being sent to their pension managers.
Furthermore, the termination of employment for some Zaria staff last year was deemed unlawful, following a power equipment malfunction that resulted in the electrocution of 14 residents in Southern Zaria. These employees were dismissed without a fair hearing.
Our presence here is to communicate our discontent to the management regarding our welfare.
Despite facing a shortage of essential equipment, we continue to receive numerous threats. Security personnel, specifically MOPOL, have been deployed to force us out during our protest. However, we are resolved to remain on the premises until we have communicated our grievances.
In response, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, the Head of Corporate Communications at Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, characterized the NUEE strike as unwarranted, emphasizing its adverse impact on the company's well-being. He appealed to the workers to reconsider their position and suspend the strike, allowing business activities to return to their normal state.
Expressing surprise at the sudden lockup of their offices, he mentioned a scheduled quarterly meeting on Wednesday, where the issues raised, such as pension remittances and plans to address backlogs, would be discussed and resolved.
We have recently appointed a new Managing Director who requires time to settle in and strategize on how to gradually address the historical liabilities. However, they have chosen to take this action, hindering both staff and customers from accessing the premises.
We find this to be both illegal and unnecessary. While we acknowledge the current challenges facing the company, the new MD has committed to revitalizing and transforming the company. We believe it is crucial for everyone to collaborate so that we can collectively chart a path forward for the company.
It's worth noting that in January, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved the appointment of Dr. Umar Abubakar Hashidu as the administrator of KAEDC.
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