The Management of Kaduna Electric, the operator of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, has reaffirmed the company’s unalloyed respect for both national and international labour laws and conventions.

The Head, Corporate Communications of the Company, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, made the affirmation yesterday during a press briefing in Kaduna. He also re-affirmed the company’s commitment to ensuring harmonious working relations with its staff and will do its utmost in providing a conducive working environment to enhance productivity.

Mr. Abdullahi, who was reacting to a protest staged in Kaduna earlier in the day by a section of the former casual workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), revealed that when the current Management took over the company in December last year, “it discovered that there existed a large number of casual workers in the employment of the company who were being paid peanuts.

“Kaduna Electric has taken every opportunity to reiterate the fact that it would not contravene the nation’s labour regulations by recognising or employing casual staff.”

According to Mr. Abdullahi, “In compliance with the extant national and international labour laws and conventions, this category of workers were given the opportunity to apply for full and more dignified employment. Most of them applied and went through the recruitment processes and the successful ones among them were employed.”

He described the protesters as those who failed to make the cut in the recently concluded recruitment exercise, adding: “The process has been adjudged by many as fair and opportunity was given to both internal staff and fresh candidates to gain employment. He said only the best qualified candidates were recruited. It is therefore factually incorrect and unfair to hold the current Management responsible for the plight of any group of people.”

Mr. Abdullahi also stressed the contribution of the current Management of Kaduna Electric to the on-going fight against youth unemployment in the country through the provision of 3,500 direct employment and about 15,000 indirect employments.

“The company recently employed 3500 young men and women and shall create over 15,000 employment opportunities through third party vendor,” he stated.

He called on the protesters not to allow themselves to be misguided and to desist from any action that will endanger the fragile peace being enjoyed in the state, as the company will be compelled to take necessary steps to safeguard its properties and staff against any intimidation by the protesters. He also assured the company's esteemed customers that the company’s offices shall be opened for them to continue to transact their businesses.

•Photo shows Power Minister Babatunde Fashola.

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