The blackout being experienced by residents of Kaduna, and other states within the coverage area of the Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KAEDCO) has continued for over 48 hours as the industrial dispute between the company and its workers lingers.
This is just as the company has reacted to the alleged dismissal of 900 staff members from the distribution company, saying contrary to claims by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), only 450 staff were sacked.
On Monday, the NUEE embarked on an indefinite strike, protesting the alleged dismissal of 900 staff members from the distribution company.
However, in a statement, KAEDCO spokesperson, Abdulhazeez Abdullahi, explained that the decision to reduce the workforce was driven by significant operational and financial challenges that had hindered the company’s ability to meet its market and operational obligations.
He described the restructuring as a difficult but necessary step to align the company with current market realities and improve operational efficiency.
“Contrary to claims by labour unions that 900 staff members were affected, the company confirms that ‘services no longer required’ letters were issued to 450 employees.
“Management emphasised that this right-sizing initiative alongside capital investment is crucial for implementing impactful measures to improve operations and ensure sustainability,” the statement read.
Addressing the blackout caused by the strike, Abdullahi expressed regret over the power outage, but assured customers that the company is actively working to resolve the dispute with the labour union to restore the electricity supply as soon as possible.
Reaffirming KAEDCO’s commitment to its customers, Abdullahi apologised for the inconvenience caused by the outage and assured them of the company’s dedication to providing a reliable power supply.
He said the company is committed to addressing its present challenges and strengthening its operations to better serve its customers and stakeholders.
