Why we shut down electricity supply in Kano State -NUEE President

By allcitynews.ng

In apparent bid to answer the questions raised by some stakeholders over the shutdown of electricity supply by the workers in Kano State, the National President has clear the air.

While he disclosed that the action was based anti-workers activities by the management of the company.

Responding to question from allcitynews.ng on what steps were taken by the union to forestall the shutdown, the President said they did not just shutdown without prior notices.

Explaining the reasons why the members of the union cut off supply of electricity to Kano State, President of NUEE, Comrade Engr Martin Uzoegwu, claimed that many preventive steps taken by members of the union before the shutdown were taken for granted by the management.

He further stated that the reasons for the protest and withdrawal of service by the workers in Kano Electric Distribution. Co, on 16th October 2023 took place after series of correspondences which yielded no positive result.

NUEE members during protest in Kano State on Monday 16 October 2023.

According to Uzoegwu, part of the reason was non remittance of deducted Contributory Pension Fund of workers to their PFAs for more than five years, an action which is a punishable offence in accordance with law establishing Pension Reform Act.

Furthermore the NUEE helmsman pointed out that another issue was non remittance of deducted workers PAYE to the appropriate Authorities for more than one year .

Still enumerating some of the grievances that led to the cut off of electricity, Uzoegwu, said there was issue of staff promotion for more than three years; Non payment of various allowances to staff for more than two years (eg Transfer allowance, Shift allowance; non payment of death benefit and exit benefit to the benefited staff) as contained in the Companies Condition of Service.

Also non remittance of deducted staff Mortgage to the Financial Institutions; non payment of staff productivity bonus since 2019 till date; insensitivity harassment and intimidation of worker’s and Union officials in the company.

Reiterating last straw that broke the camel’s back, according to Uzoegwu,
was the failure of the company to listen and attend to the contents of series of letters written by the union to avert the shutdown.

The union through several correspondences communicated to the management for over two years on the pending issues, yet management remains adamant and insensitive to the plights of the workers.

“Several meetings held with the Management yelded no results. They also reneged to implement what we collectively agreed.

“Several Ultimatum given to the management before now, were taken for granted.

“However, another 14-day ultimatum was given followed by a 21-day ultimatum to enable them to be sensitive and address most of the workers’ issues, yet it appeared they don’t have the political will to address the issues, hence that necessitated the workers withdrawal of service and protest against the anti-labour treatment and non remittance of their deducted pension funds to their PFA by the management of Kano Electric Distribution Co.”

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