Dare Babalola
Operations of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday grounded activities at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), following the dismissal of more than 900 employees across its network.
Checks indicated that the power distribution company’s headquarters in Abuja, along with several offices in Kogi State, Niger State (including Minna), and Nasarawa State, were shut and inaccessible as of Wednesday morning, disrupting normal operations.
The shutdown comes barely 24 hours after the NLC, under the leadership of its president, Joe Ajaero, staged a protest at AEDC’s Abuja headquarters in response to what it described as an unjust and misleading disengagement process.
Speaking on the development, Ajaero explained that the dispute dates back about six months, when AEDC management had reportedly assured labour unions that only workers who had reached or were nearing retirement would be affected. However, he alleged that the actual exercise deviated significantly from that agreement.
“At that time, the union intervened based on that understanding. No responsible labour leader would oppose the exit of workers who have legitimately reached retirement age,” Ajaero said.
“The majority of those affected were not at retirement age. Some had not even spent up to five or six years in service. In fact, many had only worked for two to three years. That is the height of deceit.”
Amid the escalating dispute, the labour union has warned of wider consequences for electricity supply in the affected regions. The NLC had earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum to AEDC management to address the grievances or risk a full-scale industrial action.
Ajaero cautioned that failure to resolve the crisis within the stipulated timeframe could severely disrupt power distribution in the Federal Capital Territory and the three affected states.
“If nothing is done within that time, we cannot guarantee power supply. The workers who keep the system running will stay at home, and if they are not at work, the system will naturally be affected,” he warned.
The standoff raises fresh concerns over potential blackouts in Abuja and surrounding states if both parties fail to reach a resolution.
