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Blackout Hits Four States as NUEE Shuts Down BEDC Facilities Over Welfare Dispute
Electricity supply has been disrupted in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states after members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) shut down operational facilities of BEDC Electricity Plc over disagreements concerning workers’ emoluments and welfare packages.
The industrial action reportedly began in the early hours of Monday, leaving several communities across the four states without electricity.
At the company’s headquarters in Benin City, Edo State, union officials reportedly prevented staff from accessing the premises while shutting down critical operational facilities.
The disruption forced some workers to leave their offices earlier than scheduled, while the company’s management was said to be meeting with NUEE leaders to resolve the dispute.
A senior BEDC staff member, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, expressed surprise at the union’s action, claiming that the company’s management had recently reviewed workers’ emoluments.
“We are surprised at their action. Some of them even harassed some of our staff trying to record their actions. The current management recently reviewed their emoluments. I am surprised that they shut down facilities of the company,” the source said.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Chairman of NUEE, Williams Uwumarogie, for comments were unsuccessful, as several calls to his telephone were not answered.
Meanwhile, the acting State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bernard Egwakide, said the labour centre had previously intervened in the dispute.
He, however, noted that NUEE leaders were meeting with BEDC management and that the outcome of the discussions would determine whether the NLC would intervene again.
Meanwhile, tension erupted in Akure, Ondo State, as commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada riders, clashed with ticket sellers and revenue collectors over alleged multiple levies.
The confrontation reportedly occurred at several locations across the metropolis after riders resisted attempts to collect additional charges, insisting that they had already paid similar levies.
The riders alleged that they were being compelled to pay N7,000 for an emblem purportedly introduced by the Akure South Local Government Area.
They accused the council chairman, Gbenga Fasua, of authorising the collection, but he denied the allegation.
The protest disrupted commercial motorcycle operations in parts of the city, as several riders abandoned their routes to join colleagues in resisting the levy.
One of the operators, Jimoh Akindele, alleged that revenue collectors had been stationed at strategic locations to compel riders to pay.
“What they are doing is double taxation. How can Fasua be selling an emblem for riders in Akure South for N7,000? They send boys to different locations to collect money from us,” he said.
Akindele maintained that the riders had been told the money was intended for the local government, adding that they were dissatisfied with the repeated demands for payment.
Another operator, who identified himself as Adekunle, said the riders were not opposed to paying legitimate government revenue but complained about the lack of transparency and repeated collections for similar purposes.
He also accused the council chairman of using a local security outfit known as Tiger Base to intimidate riders, an allegation that was not independently verified.
Adekunle appealed to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene to prevent the dispute from escalating into a breakdown of law and order.
Responding to the allegations, Fasua said neither he nor the local government had authorised the sale of the disputed emblem. He also stated that no proceeds from the collection had been remitted to the council.
The chairman explained that he learnt about the controversy after encountering protesting riders in front of the Government Office.
According to him, the riders complained that they had already purchased stickers earlier in the year, including one during the Ogun Festival, but were being asked to buy another, which would be their third within the year.
Fasua said he subsequently directed those involved to suspend the sales pending clarification from the governor.
“I told them to hold on with these sales. Let’s get clarity from Mr Governor. I went to about two other spots and told them to suspend the sales until we get clarity from the governor,” he said.
He added that the appearance of Akure South Local Government’s name on the emblem did not necessarily mean the council had authorised its production or sale.
Vanguard reports that, Fasua further urged the parties to remain peaceful and avoid actions capable of disrupting the relative peace in the city.
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