The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has alleged that the management of Kaduna Electric is engaging in slave labour employees and called on it to stop it.

A press statement issued and signed by the Assistant General Secretary (North-West) of the union, Comrade Moses Amedu, made available to journalists yesterday night alleged: “The newly recruited employees have been conditioned to slave labour, the salary is not defined and the staff are not treated with dignity.

“They work at odd hours, including public holidays without compensation, right tools and conducive work environment.

“Considering the above abnormal and un-conducive working atmosphere in Kaduna DISCO, the union hereby urge the company‎ management to suspend or cancel all plan action that are capable of igniting industrial disharmony within the system and take step to organised a well constituted forum with labour unions to trash out the aforementioned issues.”

Sequel to this, the union said the company should be held responsible for the consequences that may arise as a result of failure to address ‎the issues bordering on workers’ work condition and welfare.

But the management of Kaduna Electric in a swift reaction described the allegation and others contained in the union’s statement as mostly untrue and misrepresentations of the facts.

The management in a statement issued by its Head, Corporate Communications Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said: “Attention of the Management of Kaduna Electric is drawn to the contents of a press statement issued by the National Union of Electricity Employees [NUEE], North-West Zone. We wish to state that the allegations are mostly untrue and a misrepresentation of facts.

"We are indeed very surprised and wish to express our displeasure to interference statements emanating from the NUEE. We expect better coordination and professionalism. While we are making all efforts to turn the company into a modern company fit for the 21st century while investing in new technology, infrastructure and human capital development, some people seem bent on resisting change and continuing with the old ways which has proved ineffective and most often counter-productive, hence the resolve by the federal government to embrace privatisation.

“On load shedding and power outages, while NUEE tried to portray a different picture, we are pleased to note their inadvertent admission of the progress made so far in reducing such outages. It is instructive that other stakeholders who have taken the time to understand what has been happening here since take over barely a year ago have commended the steps being taken by the Management to put the company on a the path the profitability.

“BPE which oversees the federal government’s 40% equity in the company and NEMSA, for example, whose delegation have been availed of our plans, have given glowing commendations. It is a wonder then why NUEE sees things differently.

“While we remain determined to forge ahead, we shall continue to expect better mutual understanding and cooperation of NUEE, as a responsible stakeholder.”

•Photo shows Power Minister Babatunde Fashola.

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