The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the industrial dispute between the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), following a conciliation meeting in Abuja that addressed workers’ welfare and other outstanding issues.
The Commissioner for Power, Paul Usenbo, said the state government was working with relevant authorities, labour unions and electricity sector stakeholders to resolve the outstanding issues, protect consumers’ interests and promote stable electricity supply across the state.
In a statement signed by Usenbo on Thursday in Benin, he said the government was aware of the dispute and remained committed to the welfare, safety and professional development of electricity workers.
The NUEE members began industrial action at BEDC on Monday, affecting Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo states and leading to power outages in the affected states.
Usenbo said the dispute led to a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja on Wednesday at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment.
According to him, the meeting addressed six key issues affecting electricity workers: consequential adjustment, personal protective equipment (PPE), staff promotion, staff welfare, salary harmonisation and overtime payments.
He said the resolutions included the immediate restoration of overtime payments and a three-week timeline for BEDC management to address the remaining five issues in consultation with the unions.
Usenbo added that the union would be part of the review process to ensure that the outstanding issues were addressed.
He noted that the industrial action was to be suspended in the affected states, except Edo, pending the resolution of issues specific to the state.
The commissioner said the situation highlighted the need for continued engagement and practical solutions to address the outstanding concerns affecting electricity workers in Edo.
“In this regard, the Commissioner for Labour and Employment, who is presently in Abuja, is actively engaged in efforts to address the labour-related issues and facilitate constructive dialogue toward an amicable resolution,” he said.
Usenbo added that the Edo Ministry of Power would continue to work with relevant authorities, labour unions and electricity sector stakeholders to promote industrial harmony and protect the public interest.
He said electricity workers remained essential to the effective operation of the power sector, stressing that their welfare, safety and professional development must remain important considerations in building a functional and sustainable electricity market.
The commissioner appealed to all parties to sustain constructive engagement, exercise restraint and prioritise a peaceful resolution to minimise disruptions to residents, businesses, healthcare facilities and other essential services across the state.
He said the state government, under Gov. Monday Okpebholo, remained committed to practical solutions that would advance electricity sector reform, encourage investment, protect consumers and improve electricity service delivery throughout the state.
Usenbo assured residents that the government would continue to engage relevant authorities and stakeholders to resolve the outstanding issues in the interest of workers, electricity consumers and the overall development of the state’s power sector.
