The staff of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in Niger State North Central Nigeria have shut down power supply across the state in protest of poor remuneration and staff welfare.
The action according to Mr Sunday Machinga, the Chairman of the Niger State Chapter of Electricity Employers Union was a result of the Management’s refusal to act on the demand of the affected staff of the company.
“We are fighting for the deduction of our pension which has not been remitted to the source for months, other deductions of the Union, non-increment of salary, lack of promotions since the inception of the Company, in addition to lack of adequate working tools,” added Machinga
Comrade Muazu Ibrahim, The Vice Chairman of the Niger State Chapter of the Union further added that the indefinite shutdown action would continue if the management are not ready to settle the workers’ demands.
Mr Adeleke Odusoya a small scale businessman in Minna the Niger State Capital, lamented how the power shortage would cripple his printing business activities if power is not restored on time.
“This type of strike will always affect the final consumer, it’s uncalled for
as an entrepreneur, I know what I’m saying. the employers should do the needful for the power service to be restored” added Adeleke.
Lawal Sulaiman who is an electronic technician in Minna also says “I came to lodge a complaint on my prepaid meter which was just installed yesterday, and nobody to attend to me as the main gate was locked down”.
Abuja Electricity distribution company AEDC is one of the 11power distribution companies that was privatized and handed over to Kanna utility Limited in 2013 with 60 per cent equity holder while the Nigerian government holds 40 per cent
AEDC has a franchise for the distribution and sale of electricity across an area of 133,000 km2 in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger State, Kogi State and Nasarawa State in North Central Nigeria.
Nnenna
