By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Kaduna Electric has confirmed the dismissal of 450 employees amid ongoing industrial action, countering claims by labor unions that 900 staff members were affected.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the company addressed public concerns and clarified the situation, citing the need for a comprehensive transformation to ensure long-term sustainability.
“Contrary to claims by labor unions that 900 staff members were affected, the company confirms that ‘services no longer required’ letters were issued to 450 employees,” the statement read.
The management explained that the decision stemmed from significant operational and financial challenges that have hindered the company’s ability to meet market and operational obligations.
While acknowledging the difficulty of the restructuring, Kaduna Electric described the move as necessary to align the company with current market realities and foster a more efficient workforce.
“Right-sizing the workforce, alongside capital investments, is crucial for implementing impactful measures to improve operations and ensure sustainability,” the management stated.
The company expressed regret over the prolonged power outage caused by the strike, which left many customers without electricity for over 24 hours across its franchise area.
Kaduna Electric assured customers of its commitment to resolving the labor dispute amicably and restoring normal operations as soon as possible.
The management also thanked security agencies for their support during the industrial action, ensuring the safety of personnel and facilities throughout the disruption.
“We remain focused on overcoming our current challenges and emerging stronger to better serve our customers and stakeholders,” the company added, apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the outage.
