JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
The Edo State Government has expressed concern over the hardships the prolonged power blackout is causing residents and businesses following the industrial dispute between the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The government said it is intensifying efforts to ensure that the parties resolve their differences, calling on the union and BEDC management to exercise restraint, support dialogue and reach a mutually acceptable agreement in the interest of electricity consumers and the state’s economy.
Energy Commissioner Barr. Paul Usenbo, disclosed this on Thursday in Benin City, while briefing journalists on efforts to restore electricity following the industrial unrest.
Usenbo argues that although BEDC is a private company, the state government has a responsibility to intervene because “electricity is an essential service that affects households, businesses, healthcare facilities and other public institutions.”
He said the state government had engaged relevant stakeholders to resolve the dispute, adding that the Minister of Labor and Employment was participating in further discussions in Abuja to facilitate an early resolution.
Usenbo explained that Edo was excluded from the agreement to call off the strike in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states due to unresolved labor issues, a dispute over union recognition and leadership within the BEDC which further complicated efforts to resolve the crisis.
He added: “The industrial dispute appeared to have been resolved initially following a meeting convened by the state government on Monday at the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Edo, where the parties reportedly agreed to call off the strike on Tuesday.
“However, the intervention was superseded by a subsequent conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment in Abuja.”
He said two unions operated within the electricity distribution company, one affiliated to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the NUEE affiliated to the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC).
Usenbo noted that the government had been informed that some of the union-related issues dated back to 2024 and were already before a court, with the next hearing scheduled for November 2, 2026.
On long-term measures to address energy challenges, the commissioner said the Okpebholo administration anticipated shortcomings associated with dependence on a single electricity distribution company and initiated reforms that opened up the state’s energy sector to local and international investors.
According to him, some of the investments and initiatives pursued by the administration were close to completion, expressing optimism that, once completed, they would help address existing challenges and improve access to reliable electricity.
