NIGERIA: Blackout in Kaduna as KAEDCO Allegedly Lays Off 900 Workers

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos Nigeria 

Kaduna state of Nigeria has been plunged into darkness, after the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), laid off 900 staff.

Africa Culture TV gathered that the company from Saturday to Sunday issued termination letters to most of its members.

In response to the development, members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday to protest the mass sack.

The protesting workers picketed the company’s headquarters on Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, singing solidarity songs and carrying placards with various messages.

They blocked the entrance to the corporate headquarters, preventing employees and customers from accessing the premises.

The Chairman of NUEE, Kaduna State Council, Comrade Sheyin Nuhu Wakili, accused KAEDCO’s management of disregarding industrial agreements and engaging in high-handed actions.

He said: “While we were trying to address existing concerns, the management abruptly terminated the employment of 10 senior staff members without following the company’s conditions of service.

“Despite our previous interventions and agreements, these issues remain unresolved. Now, we have learned that over 900 additional staff members have been laid off.”

As of Monday, the strike has resulted in a total blackout across the state.

However, KAEDCO’s Head of Corporate Communications, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, refuted claims that 900 workers were affected, stating that the actual number was lower.

Abdullahi noted; “Everything will be resolved tomorrow. But the number of the affected staff is not up to 900 that they (NUEE) are saying.”

He assured that the dispute would be resolved by Tuesday.