Kaduna Electric workers have agreed to suspend their strike following a critical intervention by the Kaduna State Government, aimed at resolving the ongoing industrial dispute that has caused a significant power outage across the region.
The meeting was held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Thursday and was hosted by Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who appealed to the union to restore power as quickly as possible.
“The lack of power negatively affected homes, businesses, and has attendant security implications,” Balarabe emphasized during the talks.
She urged both the management and the workers’ union to find common ground, stressing the importance of continuous dialogue to prevent future disruptions.
Balarabe further highlighted the need for both parties to understand that they rely on one another.
“The management and the workers of Kaduna Electric need each other and should continue to hold dialogue regularly, even when the present impasse has been resolved.”
Earlier, the National Vice President (Distribution) of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Comrade Wisdom Chidi Nwachukwu, spoke on behalf of the workers, noting that while the union was not opposed to workforce downsizing, it insisted that due process be followed.
“We want the management to follow the laid-down procedure in the pruning down of the workforce,” he stated.
Nwachukwu promised that the union would communicate the Deputy Governor’s plea to their headquarters and assured that the matter would be resolved soon.
In his remarks, Umar Abubakar Hashidu, the Managing Director of Kaduna Electric, clarified that the company had laid off 444 workers as part of a broader effort to ensure efficiency and long-term sustainability.
“If action is not taken by the management, we will be unable to meet basic obligations like payment of salaries and may ultimately fold up,” Hashidu warned. He also revealed that further meetings with a third-party mediator would take place to facilitate a resolution.
The meeting was attended by key government officials, including the Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Dr. AbdulKadir Muazu Meyere; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Sani Liman Kila; and the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company, Engr. Idris Aminu Idris.