For more than two days, residents of Kaduna and neighboring states under the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) have been left in the dark following an indefinite strike by electricity workers.

The strike, which began on Monday, is led by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in protest against the alleged dismissal of over 900 staff members, unpaid pensions, lack of promotions, insufficient work tools, and the non-implementation of the 2024 national minimum wage.

While NUEE claims that 900 workers were affected, the management of Kaduna Electric has stated that only 450 employees were issued “services no longer required” letters. Comrade Sheyin Nuhu Wakili, the Kaduna State NUEE Chairman, emphasized that workers’ entitlements must be settled before any dismissals occur.

Despite an agreement with the Department of State Services (DSS) to withdraw the disengagement letters, the management later backtracked on their promise, leading to the ongoing strike. The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has also voiced support for the strike, further insisting that power restoration will not take place in the affected regions until the matter is resolved.

In response, Kaduna Electric’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, confirmed that the company is undergoing a transformation process aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability, assuring the public of the company’s commitment to transparency. However, the workers’ demands for fair treatment and the resolution of their grievances remain a key concern for the community.