Residents of Abuja, Kogi, Nassarawa and Niger states will experience more hardship through total dankness as the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, have threatened to shut down power supply to the nation’s capital and rhe three states, which are under the franchise of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC.
The threat is contained in a notice letter to AEDC by NUEE Assistant Secretary General Liaison Opaluwa Simeon on Tuesday.
NUEE listed 13 unmet demands such as non-remittance of pension deductions for 16 months, non-implementation of a national minimum wage of N70,000, non-confirmation of staff on acting employment, non-promotion of staff, non-payment of a 2024 productivity bonus, and others as reasons for the planned strike action.
It stated that the planned strike action is a continuation of the November 27, 2024, suspended strike and will commence anytime from the receipt of the notice.
Accordingly, the union vowed to commence mobilisation of its workers within the four states to shut down electricity supply until their demands are met.
It noted that electricity workers have been neglected by AEDC, raising the company’s collection by over 95 billion in the last 90 days.
The union added that several members have lost their lives owing to pressure and precarious work conditions.
“It is worthy of note to remind you that workers, within the last 90 days, have raised the company’s collection by over 95 billion. This milestone was achieved through dedicated services without the provision of necessary working materials, business districts are no longer funded.
It is also worthy of note that we have significantly lost a huge number of members to death owing to pressure and precarious work conditions.
Consequent upon the above, you are hereby put on notice of our readiness to resume the suspended action on the 27th of November, 2024, and this shall commence anytime from the date of the receipt of this letter without an additional notice.
“Councils are by this letter directed and put on notice to commence full mobilisation across the AEDC franchise areas of Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and FCT for an effective action.
“The struggle shall be sustained until victory is achieved, as a people united can never be defeated,” the notice letter stated.
READ ALSO:AEDC Staff Electrocuted During Repair Duty In FCT As Consumers Complain Lack Of Power
The union’s demands include;
1. Non-remittance of pension deduction for 16 months.
2. Non-Implementation of the National Minimum Wage.
3. Non-promotion and the continuous stagnation of members of staff for
over 10 years.
4. Non-Confirmation of Staff on Acting Appointment.
5. Non-regularisation and proper
placement of appointments.
6. Refusal to convert ad hoc staff to permanent status.
7. The complete collapse of health services owing to the non-payment of
Hospital bills.
8. Non-Remittance of 10 Months PA YE.
9. Refusal to complete the work on the Review of Conditions of Service.
10. Non-implementation of the already completed work on career path.
11. Undue board interference with the day-to-day running of the company.
12. Non-payment of union checkoff off dues and other third-party deductions.
13. Non-Payment of 2024 Productivity Bonus.
Metrobusinessnews.com (MBN) had exclusively reported last week about the alleged difficult operating enviroment leading to the death of one Mustapha Isa during a repair operation in Mabushi, FCT.
Also, consumers in Lokoja, Kogi State capital have been complaining about lack of power despite the scheduled rationing by the distribution company.
It was further reported that most of the residents at Ganaja, 200 units, primary school bus stop, among others, have been experiencing darkness.
While those at the 200 units have been experiencing darkness for over 20 hours daily, those at the other end that have scheduled 9pm to 6am daily, have not been enjoying light as scheduled.
Hower, Isa was said to have been fixing a power issue on Thursday, May 29, at the AEDC’s office in Mabushi when he was electrocuted.
According to a counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, the AEDC employee was fixing the electrical fault at about 5.50 pm when the incident occurred