Employees Stage Protest at KEDCO Headquarters Over Unpaid Pensions and Welfare Issues

Electrical workers represented by the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) organized a protest at the Kano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO) headquarters on Wednesday. The demonstration was in response to claims of unpaid pension deductions and inadequate employee welfare.

The demonstrators blocked the entrance to the facility, singing songs of solidarity and carrying signs that read messages like "Remit our 92 months pension contributions to our PFAs," “No implementation of performance appraisals,” “Insufficient staff welfare and low motivation,” as well as “Absence of essential work tools and PPE.”

During the protest, Comrade Rilwanu Shehu, the Deputy President General (North) of SSAEAC, addressed the crowd, labeling the current situation intolerable and holding KEDCO management accountable for not adhering to numerous agreements made with workers over the years.

Shehu accused the management of failing to remit pension deductions that have accumulated for over 90 months and neglecting other employee rights, such as performance appraisals, promotions, allowances, and favorable working conditions.

He further highlighted that many employees are obliged to work in outdated and inadequate environments, lacking proper tools and personal protective equipment, which he argued hampers productivity and dampens morale.

“We are not asking for new agreements. Our demand is for the enforcement of existing ones. Should pensions be remitted, wrongfully terminated staff reinstated, and welfare concerns addressed, we are prepared to return to our duties,” he stated.

In addition, Comrade Ado Gaya, the Vice President of NUEE, remarked that the protest ensued after negotiations between the unions and KEDCO management broke down following an ultimatum that had expired.

Gaya criticized management for selective promotions, non-disbursement of the 13th-month allowance, and sporadic staff appraisals, asserting that pension contributions are being collected but not sent to the appropriate bodies.

“This incident is not our first protest on these concerns; we undertook similar action last year regarding the same issues. Recent discussions reached a deadlock, leaving us with no choice but to stage this protest,” he noted.

In reaction, KEDCO management attributed the protest to lingering issues from previous administrations and current employee welfare matters.

A statement from the Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala, mentioned that the company has been focused on employee welfare since the new management took over around seven months ago. The company claimed that over 80 percent of the agreed pension contributions for 2025 have been settled, and a recent promotion initiative saw around 1,500 eligible workers advance in their positions.

KEDCO assured both employees and other stakeholders that they are in discussions with pertinent parties to resolve ongoing issues and restore industrial peace within the organization.