As the strike action by Kaduna Electric workers enters the second day, plunging the entire state into total darkness, traders and business owners have expressed lamentations over the losses caused by the electricity outages.

Many traders and other artisans have cried out to the government over their losses under the present power outage as a result of Kaduna Electric and its workers’ face-off, leading to industrial action.

In Barnawa, Kakuri, Sabo, Tudun Wada, Tudun Nupawa, Trikania, Kawo, Malali, and other suburbs in the metropolis, most businesses, especially business centres, have closed due to the electricity outages, with owners lamenting the high cost of powering their generating sets.

At Sabo, Nuhu Buhari, owner of a business centre, said in an interview on Wednesday, “Kaduna Electric and their workers have caused a loss of patronage these two days because the cost of buying fuel for our generators in this area has made customers abandon our business here. I, for example, cannot cope with the cost of fuel, and the customers complain about the cost of printing and typing documents.”

Buhari appealed to the management of Kaduna Electric to settle the grievances with workers and quickly restore the power supply in the state.

In the same vein, Mallam Yakub Isa, who operates a cold room for the supply of edible and perishable food items for sale to his customers in Kakuri, said, “Almost all my stocks have been destroyed by this senseless strike by Kaduna Electric workers,” urging the state and federal governments to intervene.

Meanwhile, the management of Kaduna Electric has regretted the ongoing industrial action by its members of staff under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which has shut down power supply to some of its franchise areas, including the Kaduna metropolis.

A statement issued by Kaduna Electric management, released by its Corporate Affairs Head, Abdullahi Abdullazeez, on Tuesday night, said that the “union is economical with the truth” on the reason for its strike.

Abdullazeez said, “Kaduna Electric has released a statement to address the ongoing industrial action and recent staff restructuring, aiming to clarify the situation amidst widespread speculation and misinformation. The company acknowledges public concerns and seeks to provide accurate information regarding these developments.

“Kaduna Electric’s management has initiated a comprehensive transformation exercise to ensure the company’s long-term sustainability.

Contrary to claims by labour unions that 900 staff members were affected, the company confirms that service no longer required letters were issued to 450 employees. This decision was made in response to significant operational and financial challenges that have hindered the company’s ability to meet its market and operational obligations.

“The restructuring, though difficult, is described as a necessary step to align the company with current market realities and create a more efficient workforce.”

According to the statement, the management emphasized that this right-sizing initiative, alongside capital investment, is crucial for implementing impactful measures to improve operations and ensure sustainability.

It further stressed, “Kaduna Electric expressed regret over the prolonged power outage caused by the industrial action, which lasted over 24 hours for some of our customers across our franchise. The company remains committed to resolving labour disputes amicably and restoring normal operations as quickly as possible.”

Management also thanked security agencies for their support during the industrial action, ensuring the safety of personnel and facilities during this challenging period. Kaduna Electric reassured its customers of its dedication to providing reliable power supply and apologized for the inconvenience caused by the outage. The company remains focused on overcoming its current challenges and emerging stronger to better serve its customers and stakeholders. (The Guardian)