The Kaduna State Government has intervened in the ongoing industrial dispute between Kaduna Electric and its workers’ union, which has resulted in a four-day power outage in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, hosted a meeting with representatives of the union and the management of Kaduna Electric at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in the state capital on Thursday, urging them to find a common ground to resolve their differences.
Balarabe pleaded with the union to restore electricity to consumers as soon as possible, noting that the outage has had a negative impact on all sectors, including homes, businesses, and security.
“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,” she said.
Comrade Wisdom Chidi Nwachukwu, the National Vice President (Distribution) of the National Union of Electricity Employees, said the union was not against the downsizing of workers but wants due process to be followed and all entitlements paid.
“We are not against the pruning down of the workforce, but we want it to be done in a fair and transparent manner,” Nwachukwu said.
The Managing Director of Kaduna Electric, Malam Umar Abubakar Hashidu, explained that the management is looking at efficiency, progress, and sustainability of the company, and that 444 workers were laid-off.
“We had to take this decision to ensure the survival of the company. We cannot continue to operate at a loss,” Hashidu said.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Dr. AbdulKadir Muazu Meyere, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Sani Liman Kila as well as Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr Fabian Okoye and the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company, Engr Idris Aminu Idris.
The parties agreed to hold another round of meetings with a third party to resolve the dispute.
THE WHISTLER reports that the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company was 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, was 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 Management, through its Head, Corporate Communication, Kaduna Electric, Abdullazeez Abdullahi, later clarified that contrary to claims by labour unions that 900 staff members were affected, the company confirmed that “services no longer required” letters were issued to 450 employees.
