Edo Power Supply to be Restored as Okpebholo, NLC Reach Agreement in Abuja

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By Rosemary Okoduwa

Electricity supply is expected to resume in Edo State after Governor Monday Okpebholo and organised labour agreed to resolve a dispute over the recognition of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) caretaker committee.

The agreement was reached at a closed-door meeting in Abuja convened by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. Participants included NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, and former Edo State Governor and ex-NLC President Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

The power disruption involved two separate but related disputes. The first was an industrial disagreement between BEDC Electricity Plc and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) over workers’ wages and welfare. The second was a leadership dispute over the recognition of the Edo State NLC caretaker committee led by Joseph Igbafe.

Speaking after the meeting, Okpebholo said the state government would recognise the caretaker committee and work with labour leaders to conduct a substantive election.

“There is no issue actually, and we have resolved the issues that border the NLC caretaker committee in Edo,” the governor said.

Ajaero thanked Okpebholo, Akume, Dingyadi and Oshiomhole for facilitating the agreement. He said labour would work with the state government to recognise the committee, address its rights and privileges, and organise an election. He added that electricity supply would be restored.

Dingyadi said both parties had agreed to work together for the peace and progress of Edo State and Nigeria. He said the NLC would conduct a substantive election within three to six months, while electricity supply would be restored immediately.

Oshiomhole described the NLC leadership dispute as a communication gap and said there was no justification for continuing the industrial action. He welcomed the governor’s commitment to rebuilding trust between the state government and organised labour.

Akume commended the parties for choosing dialogue and resolving the dispute through negotiation.