The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has assured its workers that all legitimate allowances owed to them will be promptly paid.
This commitment comes in response to a strike threat issued by the AEDC Union.
Managing Director/CEO, Chijioke Okwuokenye, made the pledge, emphasizing that the company remains committed to staff welfare and will ensure there is no disruption to its operations.
The union had threatened to resume its suspended strike action over several unresolved issues, including the non-remittance of pension deductions for 16 months, failure to implement the National Minimum Wage, lack of staff promotions and prolonged stagnation for over a decade, non-confirmation of staff in acting roles, as well as irregularities in staff regularisation and proper placement of appointments.
In letters signed by Liaison Assistant General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees,
Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, and Rosemary Odeh, Deputy General Secretary (Corporate Communications) of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, the unions declared their intention to embark on a strike.
They stated that the planned action is due to AEDC’s failure to address their demands, despite suspending an earlier strike in November 2024 to allow for resolution.
It was earlier reported that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company supplies electricity to the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi States.
The unions also listed several other grievances in their letter, including the refusal to convert ad-hoc staff to permanent status, the collapse of health services due to unpaid hospital bills, and the non-remittance of 10 months’ PAYE. Additional concerns include the failure to complete the review of conditions of service, non-implementation of the concluded work on career paths, undue board interference in the company’s daily operations, non-payment of union check-off dues and other third-party deductions, as well as the non-payment of the 2024 productivity bonus.
“Councils are by this letter directed and put on notice to commence full mobilisation across the AEDC franchise areas of Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and FCT for an effective action. The struggle shall be sustained until victory is achieved, as a people united can never be defeated,” the letter read.
However, in his response on Thursday, the AEDC managing director said the management has been engaging constructively with the union representatives regarding the notice of industrial action and all concerns will be addressed.
He said, “Management has been engaging constructively with the union representatives regarding the notice of industrial action. We are committed to ensuring that all legitimate allowances owed to staff are settled promptly, subject to our financial processes and regulatory compliance.
“We have already initiated dialogue with the union leadership to address their concerns transparently and to seek a mutually agreeable resolution. We are confident that, through continued negotiation and open communication, we will find a way to avert any disruption to our operations and to uphold our commitment to the welfare of our employees.”
