The Kaduna State Government has stepped in to mediate in the ongoing industrial dispute between Kaduna Electric and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which has resulted in a four-day power outage in the state.
Deputy Governor Calls for Quick Resolution
- Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe hosted a meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House on Thursday with:
- Kaduna Electric management
- Workers' union representatives
- Senior state government officials
- She pleaded with the workers to restore power supply as soon as possible, citing the negative impact on homes, businesses, and security.
- Balarabe stated:
“We implore you to find a way to resolve this dispute quickly. The people of Kaduna State are suffering, and we cannot afford to have this outage continue.”
Workers’ Union Demands Fair Process
- Comrade Wisdom Nwachukwu, NUEE National Vice President (Distribution), clarified that the union is not against downsizing but wants due process followed with all entitlements paid.
- He stressed:
“We are not against the pruning down of the workforce, but we want it to be done in a fair and transparent manner.”
Kaduna Electric Justifies Layoffs
- Managing Director of Kaduna Electric, Malam Umar Abubakar Hashidu, explained that the company laid off 444 employees to ensure its survival.
- He said:
“We had to take this decision to ensure the survival of the company. We cannot continue to operate at a loss.”
Strike Background
- The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) was shut down on Monday as workers embarked on an indefinite strike over:
- Alleged plans to sack over 900 employees.
- Non-payment of outstanding pensions to retirees.
- Lack of promotions for deserving employees.
- Inadequate work tools for staff.
- Non-implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage.
- Kaduna Electric’s spokesperson, Abdullazeez Abdullahi, clarified that 450 employees received “services no longer required” letters, not 900 as claimed by the union.
Next Steps
- The parties agreed to hold another round of meetings with a third-party mediator to resolve the dispute.
- Top Kaduna State officials involved in the talks include:
- Secretary to the State Government, Dr. AbdulKadir Muazu Meyere
- Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Sani Liman Kila
- Special Adviser on Research, Documentation, and Strategy, Mr. Fabian Okoye
- Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company, Engr. Idris Aminu Idris
Conclusion
The Kaduna State Government’s intervention aims to restore electricity supply and prevent further economic disruptions. Both parties are expected to continue negotiations in the coming days to reach a resolution.
