BEDC Explains Electricity Disruption as NUEE Strike Shuts Down Feeders Across Four States

Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC Plc has explained the disruption to electricity supply across its franchise areas of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti States, attributing the situation to an industrial action embarked upon by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), which commenced in the early hours of Monday, October 19, 2026.

In a statement, the company’s management said it discovered at approximately 2:00 a.m. that its electricity feeders had been shut down, significantly affecting its ability to supply electricity to customers across its operational areas.

According to BEDC, the industrial action stems from concerns over consequential adjustments arising from the national minimum wage, salary harmonisation and other employee welfare matters.

While acknowledging the concerns raised by the union, the company said it had introduced several initiatives since the current management assumed responsibility in October 2022 to improve staff welfare, working conditions and professional development.

BEDC Lists Staff Welfare Initiatives

The company said it had implemented salary increases across staff categories, with adjustments ranging from five per cent to 70 per cent, shortly after the current management took office.

It also disclosed that 957 employees benefited from promotions between 2023 and 2025, while 1,314 salary adjustments were implemented during the period.

According to the statement, more than 1,394 employees were recognised under a long-service award programme, which cost the company over ₦125 million. BEDC added that it had paid approximately ₦75 million to clear outstanding staff exit benefits accumulated over about 10 years.

Other initiatives listed by management include the establishment of a formal Condition of Service framework, end-of-year staff welfare packages, expanded local and international training opportunities, improved healthcare coverage and annual medical examinations.

The company further said it had introduced performance-based rewards, with more than 100 employees receiving recognition and cash incentives totalling over ₦68 million.

It added that its group life insurance provision had increased from ₦56.35 million to ₦103.15 million, while more than ₦40 million had been spent on bereavement support for employees and their families.

BEDC also cited the provision of personal protective equipment, regular salary payments, work-life balance activities and the resolution of approximately 98 per cent of identified legacy tax-related concerns among its staff welfare interventions.

Management Addresses Minimum Wage, Salary Harmonisation Dispute

On the union’s current demands, BEDC said the issues had been discussed during engagements between management and union representatives, including a meeting held on October 7, 2026.

The company disclosed that a joint committee comprising management and union representatives had been established to examine the consequential adjustment arising from the national minimum wage.

However, it said the committee’s work and recommendations had yet to be concluded, urging that the process be allowed to reach an outcome before a final position was communicated.

On salary harmonisation, BEDC said the exercise required an objective assessment of the company’s existing salary structure, employee categories, internal equity and the financial implications of implementation.

It stated that management and the union had agreed to engage an independent consultant for the review, adding that a prospective consultant had been identified and arrangements were being made to commence the exercise.

BEDC maintained that it remained committed to addressing the union’s concerns through dialogue and structured engagement, while considering the company’s operational and financial sustainability.

BEDC Appeals to NUEE to Restore Electricity Supply

Expressing concern over the impact of the industrial action, the company said the shutdown of electricity feeders had affected households, businesses, industries, healthcare facilities, public institutions and other essential services dependent on electricity.

BEDC acknowledged workers’ right to express their concerns through lawful industrial processes but appealed to NUEE to discontinue the action and allow electricity supply operations to resume while negotiations continued.

“The resulting hardship is a matter of serious concern to Management,” the statement said, adding that customers should not have to bear prolonged consequences of a dispute the parties were working to resolve.

The company also urged the union to call off the picketing action and return to the negotiation table in the interest of employees, customers and the communities served by BEDC.

Reaffirming its commitment to staff welfare, management said a lasting resolution would require dialogue, mutual understanding, due process and sufficient time to complete the reviews already initiated.

BEDC apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and appealed for their patience and understanding, pledging to continue engaging with the union while working towards restoring reliable electricity distribution services across its franchise area.