Power has finally been restored in Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states after a five-day blackout that grounded economic activities in the four states under Kaduna Electric.
This followed a meeting at the instance of Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani in which the management of Kaduna Electric agreed to review the sack of some of its staff members and the two in-house labour unions who shut down power in protest.
The meeting took place on Friday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, which ended around 8pm.
It will be recalled that the labour unions of Kaduna Electric had embarked on industrial action since last Sunday, following the decision of the management to sack 444 workers, thereby plunging Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States in darkness, following power outage.
At the end of the meeting, Governor Uba Sani promised to be the Guarantor as he would ensure fairness to both sides, after both parties agreed to sit down and take a joint decision.
‘’The Unions praised the Governor for his intervention. They also commended the Management, ably led by Dr Hashidu, for moving Kaduna Electric forward,’’ the resolution stated.
The unions also “noted that the Management is operating under stringent conditions, given the prevailing economic situation in the country but promised to help it to succeed.’’
The parties also noted that both the Management of Kaduna Electric and the labour unions are partners in progress, adding that what happened was as a result of a breakdown in communication.
The meeting also argued that ‘’there must be a give-and-take on the side of both the Management and Labour in order to find an amicable settlement of the dispute.”
The resolution was signed by Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu, the Managing Director of the electricity company, Comrade Wisdom Nwachukwu, the Vice President (Distribution) of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Rilwanu Shehu, Deputy President North of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).
Other union members that signed the resolution include Comrade Muhammed Musa, Deputy President North of NUEE and Comrade Haruna Ahmed Tinau, Deputy Secretary General(North).
Engr Idris Ahmed Idris, the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company also signed the resolution.
