In a decisive move to end the crippling four-day power outage across Kaduna Electric’s franchise states, the Kaduna State Government has stepped in to mediate the industrial standoff between the company and its workers’ union.
Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, recognizing the urgency of the crisis, convened an emergency meeting on the 6th of February, 2025, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, bringing both parties to the table.
She urged the union to restore power immediately, emphasizing the devastating toll the blackout had taken on households, businesses, and essential services including security operations.
Governor Uba Sani’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, in a statement, highlighted the Deputy Governor’s passionate appeal for a swift and amicable resolution. She called on both the company’s management and the union to engage in constructive dialogue and establish preventive measures against future disruptions.
Addressing the gathering, Comrade Wisdom Chidi Nwachukwu, National Vice President (Distribution) of the National Union of Electricity Employees, clarified that the union was not fundamentally opposed to workforce downsizing.
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However, he insisted that any staff reduction must adhere to due process, ensuring that affected workers receive their rightful entitlements.
Acknowledging the interdependence between the union and the company, Comrade Nwachukwu stressed the importance of proper procedures in handling labor disputes.
He assured that the Deputy Governor’s plea would be relayed to the union’s national leadership, expressing optimism that the conflict would soon be resolved, restoring normalcy to the affected regions.