By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

There was a water shortage in some parts of the Kaduna metropolis and environs on Tuesday, as aggrieved workers of Kaduna Electric Distribution Company, who embarked on strike on Monday, vowed to continue with the strike action until their demands were met.

They said they would only return to work if the sack letters, allegedly issued to about 900 disengaged workers, were withdrawn.

The workers also alleged that the current problem between them and the company was caused by a former military governor of Kano state, who is now a major shareholder in the company.

Meanwhile, the strike, which entered its second day, caused serious water shortages in Kaduna and environs.

Women, children, and other members of the public were seen struggling to fetch water in the few boreholes powered by generators or solar energy in neighborhoods—some trekked distances to get water to drink and cook.

The cost of water sold by water sellers in carts has increased, even as people besieged the few boreholes powered by generators.

The National Union of Electricity Employees members insisted that the electricity company management must withdraw the disengagement letters issued to the 900 staff members.

The strike began on Monday and was also in protest of other grievances, including non-payment of outstanding pensions to retirees, inadequate provision of necessary work tools, lack of promotions for deserving employees, and non-implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage.

A union official said they were not opposed to the management’s sacking of the 900 workers but that their entitlements must be paid in full.

“We are not opposed to the management’s decision to sack staff, but we are opposed to how it was done.

“The condition of service stipulates that sacked staff must be paid their entitlements, which the management has refused to do,” said an official.

He added that the management had initially agreed to withdraw the disengagement letters during a meeting with a security agency but later reneged on the agreement.

“We told them we will restore the power supply immediately once they withdraw the letters.”

According to the official, “the strike has left the entire state of Kaduna in darkness and Kaduna Electric franchise states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, with residents and businesses affected by the power outage.”

“The NUEE apologized to customers for the inconvenience but maintained that the strike was necessary to protect workers’ rights.”

“We understand our customers’ plight and apologize for the inconvenience this strike has caused. But we cannot continue to watch as our members are treated like slaves. We will continue to fight for their rights, no matter the cost.”

“We will not back down until our demands are met. We are willing to negotiate but will not be intimidated or coerced into accepting anything less than what is due to our members.”

Meanwhile, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, Head of Corporate Communication at Kaduna Electric, told our correspondent in a WhatsApp message, “No. Some staff were affected but nowhere near 900.”

He, however, had yet to give an accurate number of the affected staff.

In another response, he said, “Hello. We will share a statement with you when it’s ready. Thank you for simply reaching out.”

Peaceful protest in Kafanchan

On Tuesday, in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, workers of Kaduna Electric Company, KAEDCO, staged a peaceful protest condemning the mass termination of over 900 employees.

The workers marched through the Kafanchan NEPA roundabout and accused the management of failing to follow due process as required by law before the termination.

They carried placards with messages such as “Non-Implementation of Minimum Wage,” “Pay Our Entitlements, No Shifting Ground,” “No to Tyranny and Slavery; 10 Years Without Promotion,” and “Respect Workers’ Rights,” The protesters criticized “ the company’s disregard” for their welfare.

While addressing the workers at Kaduna Electric’s Kafanchan Branch Office, the Service Manager, Mr. Godswill Tanimu Adamu, outlined the workers’ grievances, emphasizing their demand for unpaid entitlements and improved working conditions.

He, however, lamented that staff have been working in hazardous environments without medical care from the company, as a result of which most of them suffered workplace injuries with no support, allegedly.

He also condemned the undue pressure on workers to meet revenue targets despite the company’s failure to provide adequate resources.

The protesters, who have been demanding payment of their entitlements for over five years, vowed to persist until their rights were recognized.

“Kafanchan and adjoining towns and villages have been without power supply since around 6:55 am on Monday, thereby crippling many commercial activities and loss of revenue by those who rely on the power supply for their businesses,” Mr. Garba, a resident of the area, said.