Kano electricity workers shut down company indefinitely over unremitted pension

Electricity workers, on Monday, shut down the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), over alleged failure to remit their pension deductions in the last 72 months.

The workers, under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), vowed to keep the company shut until the remittances were confirmed and paid.

Speaking to NAN, Ado Ririwai, chairperson of the union, north-west zone, said the workers would not allow such an unwholesome attitude to continue.

According to Riruwai, KEDCO victimised union leaders who were trying to speak on behalf of the workers.

“This act is imperialist; it is the rights of workers to fight for what is theirs,” he said.

The union leader also accused the company of refusing to provide basic medical care to the workers “in spite of the hazards associated with their jobs”.

According to NAN, all workers, including management staff, were forced out of the premises of the firm’s headquarters.

Meanwhile, reacting to the industrial action in a statement on Monday,  the management of KEDCO, said the picketing of its offices by the NUEE,  is a result of “lingering staff welfare issues which accumulated over the last six years”.

The management said since taking over in July 2022, staff welfare and entitlements have been prioritised by settling workers as at when due.

The electricity firm assured that “a robust plan has been drawn and the outstanding is being paid in batches, due to inability to settle all at once owing to current liquidity crises in the power sector”. 

“Therefore, management assures all concerned that it is currently engaging with relevant stakeholders to resolve the issue and discuss a lasting solution to all lingering matters,” the firm added. 

KEDCO said the current management remains steadfast in attending to all staff obligations.