Kaduna Disco Workers Strike Over Planned Mass Layoff

The mass layoff is being carried out by the energy firm to cut its operational costs, a decision the aggrieved employees are not happy about.

In reaction, they carried placards with various inscriptions, blocking the entrance of the corporate headquarters of KADECO on Monday and preventing workers and even customers from going into the premises.

The demonstrating workers under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) accused the management of high-handedness and fragrant disregard for all industrial agreements.

The North West Zone of the group listed some of their grievances including the failure of the management to provide exit benefits to employees that resigned or retired five years ago, and the plan to sack 900 staff, which he said must be resisted by the union.

Other issues raised by the striking workers include nonpayment of five-year outstanding pensions to retirees, non-implementation of the national minimum wage, lack of promotion for deserving employees, and inadequate provision of necessary work tools.

Meanwhile, a letter from the management of Kaduna Electric to the affected workers, dated January 31, 2025, directed them to hand over the company’s property in their possession to the human resources department immediately, while plans to pay them their severance packages are underway.

The letter signed by the Deputy Managing Director of the KADECO, Mr Abubakar Mohammed, told the affected workers that their services were no longer needed by the company effective from January 31, 2025.

KADECO is one of Nigeria’s 11 Discos responsible for serving the franchise states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara State.

In January 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved the acquisition of a 60 per cent stake in the company by ASI Engineering Limited, months after KADECO’s board was dissolved over the inability to pay N110 billion to the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The new owners are embarking on cost-cutting measures to keep the company afloat, Business Post gathered.