The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has issued a strike notice threatening to shut down power supply in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Niger states over multiple unresolved demands.

In a notice letter delivered to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Tuesday, NUEE Assistant Secretary General Liaison Opaluwa Simeon outlined 13 unmet demands that have prompted the planned industrial action.

Key Demands Behind the Strike Threat

Among the critical issues raised by the union are non-remittance of pension deductions for 16 months, failure to implement the national minimum wage of N70,000, and non-confirmation of staff on acting employment. Other grievances include stagnated promotions, non-payment of the 2024 productivity bonus, and deteriorating health services due to unpaid hospital bills.

The union emphasized that the planned strike is a continuation of previously suspended action from November 27, 2024, and could commence anytime following receipt of the notice without additional warning.

Workers' Contributions Amid Challenging Conditions

NUEE highlighted that despite facing difficult working conditions, electricity workers have significantly boosted the company's revenue collection by over N95 billion in the past 90 days. The union stated this achievement came "through dedicated services without the provision of necessary working materials" while business districts remain underfunded.

In a sobering revelation, the union also noted that they have "significantly lost a huge number of members to death owing to pressure and precarious work conditions."

Mobilization Across Four States

The notice directs union councils to "commence full mobilisation across the AEDC franchise areas of Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and FCT for an effective action." The union has vowed to sustain the struggle until their demands are met, declaring that "a people united can never be defeated."

Complete List of Demands

  1. Non-remittance of pension deduction for 16 months
  2. Non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage
  3. Non-promotion and continuous stagnation of staff for over 10 years
  4. Non-confirmation of staff on acting appointment
  5. Non-regularisation and proper placement of appointments
  6. Refusal to convert ad hoc staff to permanent status
  7. Complete collapse of health services due to non-payment of hospital bills
  8. Non-remittance of 10 months PAYE
  9. Refusal to complete the review of conditions of service
  10. Non-implementation of the already completed work on career path
  11. Undue board interference with day-to-day running of the company
  12. Non-payment of union checkoff dues and other third-party deductions
  13. Non-payment of 2024 productivity bonus

Residents and businesses in the affected states are advised to prepare for possible power outages as the situation develops. BenriNews will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available.