The strike by workers at the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has resulted in a blackout affecting residents in Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.
Members of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees initiated the indefinite strike following a protest against perceived mistreatment by the company’s management.
Among their grievances are the non-remittance of six years’ worth of pension funds, failure to pay death benefits to deceased employees’ families, non-payment of exit packages, the dismissal of seven employees in Zaria, and alleged plans to lay off over 1,000 workers.
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In response, the management of Kaduna Disco criticized the strike, labeling it as “completely unjustified.” Abdulazeez Abdullahi, the Head of Corporate Communication, expressed disappointment in the timing of the strike, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, and highlighted the inconvenience it causes to Nigerians.
Abdulazeez also pointed out that the demand for payment of outstanding pension arrears is related to debts accumulated under previous managements, questioning the union’s sudden focus on these issues.
He suggested that the union may have ulterior motives beyond their stated grievances.