The Kaduna state council of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) began an indefinite strike on Monday.
The strike was in protest of the alleged termination of 900 staff from Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), NAN reports.
The workers, carrying placards, blocked the entrance to the company’s corporate headquarters.
They prevented both employees and customers from entering the premises.
The workers also accused the management of failing to pay death and retirement benefits, contrary to the conditions of service.
Speaking on the matter, Pukat Ayuba, zonal organising secretary for NUEE northwest zone, said the strike would continue until the company rescinds the termination letters and pays the benefits owed.
“A year ago, we shut down Kaduna Electric’s premises over staff issues, including pension and welfare. One year later, nothing has been resolved,” Ayuba said.
“The termination of 900 staff, disregarding the conditions of service, is unacceptable. It worsens Nigeria’s growing problems.”
The publication said in a letter signed by Abubakar Mohammed, deputy managing director of KAEDCO, dated January 31, that the company directed affected workers to return the company’s property.
The letter also said the severance packages were being arranged and that the workers’ services were no longer required effective January 31.
In March 2024, workers under the NUEE embarked on an indefinite strike over alleged poor treatment by the management of the KAEDCO.
The action exposed electricity consumers in its franchise — Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi — to total blackout.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
