The Kaduna State Government on Thursday appealed to union leaders of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) to suspend the ongoing strike and resolve the dispute through dialogue.
The workers of the Disco on Feb. 2, proceeded on an indefinite industrial action that plunged Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, its franchise area, into darkness.
The union leaders had expressed displeasure over the sacking of more than 450 workers of the company without settling their exit token and redundancy package.
Mr Rilwan Shehu, Deputy President-General of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) told NAN via telephone that KEDCO’S condition of service provides for 30 percent of annual earnings as exit token.
Shehu said redundancy allowances were negotiable but lamented that sack letters were suddenly forwarded to the affected workers without prior notice and unbelievable meagre packages.
The deputy president-general said efforts to resolve the dispute amicably did not yield positive results, “hence, the union notified the company and later proceeded on industrial action.”
However, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, convened a crucial meeting on Thursday at Government House with KEDCO management and the union leaders to broker peace and restore electricity supply.
Balarabe expressed concern over the adverse effects of the blackout on critical sectors such as healthcare and business operations.
She appealed to the striking workers to resume work while discussions to resolve their grievances continue.
Present at the meeting were top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).
KEDCO’s Managing Director, Umar Abubakar Hashidu, led the company’s delegation, while Rilwan Shehu, Deputy President-General of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), represented the labour unions.
Both parties acknowledged the state government’s timely intervention and committed to working together to end the crisis and restore power supply to the affected states.