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Staff of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company in several Osun State towns on Thursday shut down company offices in protest over the alleged dismissal of their colleagues.
The demonstration, which began early in parts of Osogbo, Ede, and Ilesa, led to disruptions in power supply across the state, particularly in the capital, Osogbo.
IBEDC offices at Ilaje in Ilesa, Oja Timi, Ede Business Hub, and the Ikirun Business Unit were locked, as protesting workers stayed away from their duty posts.
A leader of the National Union of Electricity Employees in the state, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to comment, said the protest was triggered by the sacking of several team leaders over their inability to meet revenue targets.
“The protest is in respect of disengagement of many of team lead from the service. The disengagement is linked to the inability of the managers to meet the revenue target set for them by the IBEDC. The protest is the cause of the blackout across the state,” the NUEE leader said.
Reacting to the protest, the Management of IBEDC, in a statement signed by the Coordinating Head, Corporate Services, Angela Olanrewaju, reiterated the company’s commitment to excellence in service delivery and staff welfare at all times.
The statement read, “We urge our customers and various stakeholders across our franchise areas to disregard media reports that our workers have embarked on strike beginning today. We are aware of reports circulating that employees of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) went on strike today. We would like to clarify that the action in question was a picket organised by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).
“One of the concerns raised was the alleged unjust exiting of certain staff members, along with other issues brought forward by the union. We want to emphasise that the staff members in question were let go due to consistently poor performance, following the company’s Conditions of Service and proper procedures were followed in these exits.
“Regarding other concerns related to staff welfare, we want to affirm that the company has always prioritised the well-being of its employees. Despite the ongoing economic challenges in the country IBEDC has consistently paid the full salaries of its employees each month.”
