TheCable

Workers under the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), on Tuesday, embarked on an indefinite strike over alleged poor treatment by the management of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO).

The action exposed electricity consumers in its franchise — Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi — to total blackout.

Speaking on the issue, KAEDCO described the industrial action as “unjustifiable”.

Abdulazeez Abdullahi, KAEDCO’s head of corporate communications, in a statement on Tuesday, blamed the union for sabotaging power supply by embarking on a strike at the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

“Forcing staff from carrying out their legitimate duties says a lot about its motive,” he said.

“For emphasis, the union’s demand for payment of outstanding pension arrears which is the supposed justification for forcing misery on citizens is part of the historic debts accumulated under two previous managements.

“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.”

He said Umar Hashidu, the chief executive officer (CEO) of KAEDCO, had demonstrated a willingness to work with the unions to move the company forward since the assumption of office in January.

“The CEO held series of meetings with NUEE to get their buy-in into his plans to turn the company around,” Abdullahi added.

“The management is committed to the employee welfare and has been consistently engaged in open dialogue to address concerns.”

Abdullahi said the administrator had increased salaries within one month after assuming duty and committed to ensuring prompt payment of salaries and liabilities.

“The strike action does no good to anyone but some individuals whose motive is still unclear,” he said.

He urged customers to disregard it and go about their dealings.