Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin City
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc has expressed issues in regards to the ongoing protest by its staff, saying it has misplaced over N2 billion in income inside two days of the economic motion.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) throughout its franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo has launched into the motion to press residence its calls for.
The NUEE commenced the strike at about 2 a.m. on October 19, 2026, considerably disrupting electrical energy provide following the shutdown of electrical energy feeders by the protesting staff.
This has plugged its prospects into complete blackout throughout the 4 states.
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BEDC, Mr. Jonathan Lawani, represented by the corporate’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Akinleye Ogunleye, disclosed this in Benin Tuesday whereas briefing journalists on the continuing strike and its impression on electrical energy provide throughout BEDC’s franchise areas.
According to him, the disruption had affected the corporate’s capability to provide electrical energy to prospects, with the monetary implications of the strike growing as the economic motion continued.
He stated the dispute arose from issues over consequential wage changes following the implementation of the nationwide minimal wage, wage harmonisation and different worker welfare issues.
Lawani, who acknowledged the issues raised by the protesting staff, stated the corporate’s administration had launched a number of initiatives since October 2022 to enhance workers welfare, remuneration and dealing situations.
“We have applied wage will increase starting from 5 per cent to 70 per cent throughout workers classes shortly after the present administration assumed workplace.
“Between 2023 and 2025, more than 1,000 employees benefited from promotions, while 833 workers received salary adjustments, among other welfare packages, during the same period,” he stated.
He lamented {that a} committee comprising representatives of the administration and the unions had been established to look at the consequential changes arising from the nationwide minimal wage however had but to conclude its task earlier than the strike commenced.
He appealed to the union to droop the strike and return to the negotiation desk, stressing that prospects and members of the general public shouldn’t proceed to bear the results of the dispute.
Earlier, the Edo State Chairman of the NUEE, Comrade Uwumarogie Owenaze William, stated the strike resulted from the administration’s refusal to deal with the union’s grievances, together with the non-implementation of the minimal wage, wage harmonisation and increments, stagnation in promotions, and calls for for improved staff’ welfare.
He stated the union had given the administration ample time to deal with its grievances however that the administration had didn’t reciprocate.
While interesting to BEDC prospects to bear with the union, he stated the strike would proceed till its calls for had been met.
