Power supply is set to be restored immediately to Kaduna and its franchise states after a resolution was reached between Kaduna Electric and its in-house labour unions.
The agreement was secured following a high-level meeting convened by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Friday.
The meeting, which lasted until 8 PM, brought an end to the industrial action that had left Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states in darkness for nearly a week.
The labour unions of Kaduna Electric had initiated the strike last Sunday in response to the management’s decision to dismiss 444 workers.
However, following negotiations, both parties agreed to review past actions and collaborate on a way forward.
Governor Uba Sani pledged to act as a guarantor, ensuring fairness for both the management and the workers.
In their resolution, the unions expressed appreciation for the governor’s intervention and commended Kaduna Electric’s Managing Director, Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu, for his leadership.
“The unions praised the governor for his intervention and commended the management, ably led by Dr Hashidu, for moving Kaduna Electric forward,” the resolution stated.
Acknowledging the economic challenges facing the company, the unions pledged to support Kaduna Electric in achieving its objectives.
Both sides recognised that the dispute arose from a breakdown in communication and emphasised the need for a “give-and-take” approach to finding an amicable settlement.
The resolution was signed by key representatives, including Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu, Managing Director of Kaduna Electric; Comrade Wisdom Nwachukwu, Vice President (Distribution) of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE); Comrade Rilwanu Shehu, Deputy President (North) of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC); and other senior union officials.
Additionally, Engr Idris Ahmed Idris, Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company, also signed the agreement, reinforcing the commitment to resolving the dispute.
With the resolution in place, Kaduna Electric is expected to restore power to the affected states without further delay.