Residents of Yola and Mubi towns of Adamawa have cried out over lack of electricity as strike action by staff of Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) lingers
Staff of the company which supply electricity to Adamawa, Taraba, Borno and Yobe states embarked on the strike to press home their demands which include the implementation of Condition of Service by the company.
The workers who picketed company’s headquarters in Yola had threatened to shut down power supply to the four states as from today (Thursday) if their grievances which also included lack of promotion and annual increment were not addressed.
Many residents of Yola and Mubi towns who spoke on the strike said that there was no electricity in their respective wards.
“We don’t have electricity since morning and it looks unusual,” said Umar Dauda of Karewa Ward in Yola.
Mohammad Auwal of Dougirei Ward in Yola said there was no light in their area.
“We have problem with our transformer and nobody showed up to repair the fault; I believe it’s because of the strike as they always show up in time for such repairs, ” Auwal said.
Abraham Moses, Aisha Musa and Timothy Emmnuel of Yolde-Pate, Jambutu and Demsawa wards of Yola respectively also said their was no light in their areas.
Idris Buba and Janet Luka from Mubi town said there was no light in the entire town.
“We woke up with heavy downpour and I though it was because of the rain but now the reality has down on me.
“I want to call for speedy resolution of the problem between the staff and management to save us from further hardship,” Buba said.
When contacted on the development, the Deputy President General (North) of the Senior Staff of Electricity and Allied Company (SSAEAC), Comrade Nasiru Dembo simply said members of organized labour in the electricity sector had directed their members working for YEDC to remain at home till further notice.
Dembo had on Wednesday while speaking at the picketed YEDC headquarters announced their resolved to shut down power supply and urged customers to bear with them.
“I want to appeal to all our customers under YEDC in Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe states to bear with us; any of our customer that stockpiled perishable items should look at alternative way of storing the items,” Dembo said.
When contacted, the Senior Corporate Communication Officer of YEDC, Mr Kingsley Nkemneme said that the company’s management board meeting was held Thursday in Abuja to address the issues.
