Although reprieve may have come the way of residents of Abuja and its environs following suspension of strike by electricity workers, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sack of the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The action was over the strike by the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).
Some of the areas serviced by the company are; the federal capital territory (FCT), Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states.
The strike by the NUEE left areas serviced by the AEDC without power for hours on Monday.
The workers were protesting unpaid allowances, salaries and unremitted pension deductions.
But Buhari’s action has caused anxiety and apprehension in the sector, particularly among some DisCos who are at loggerheads with their customers and staff over poor services and conditions of service.
For instance, customers continue to besiege the Alausa and Oregun offices of Ikeja electric over malfunctioning prepaid meters and estimated billings by customers yet to be fixed with prepaid meters.
Investigations further dhow that similar complaints abound within Lagos metropolises and satellite towns.
For instance, customers at the Arepo, Mowe and Ibafo axis, all within Lagos and Ogun states have been experiencing irregular supply of electricity.
It was further gathered that management of some DisCos have decided to thread softly with their staff due to what they regard as “unilateral action by the federal government.”
However, a statement issued by Ofem Uket, media aide of the Minister of state for power, on Tuesday, said the president approved a new interim governing board to oversee the day-to-day operations of the company.
“The presidential directives as conveyed also directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises to set up a new management team of the AEDC,” the statement said.
“In a memorandum of understanding MOU, jointly signed by the minister of state power, Goddy Jedy Agba, the chairman Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC, Sanusi Garba, director-general, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Alex Okoli, comrade Joe Ajaero on behalf of the union, the federal government ordered the suspension of the strike (and asked to be) given 21 days within which the outstanding emoluments and entitlements of staff will be paid.”
