Four-State Power Crisis: BEDC Urges Electricity Workers To End Strike As Wage Talks Continue

By GEORGETTE CHIDI & BIMBO ADEYEMI

Electricity Strike Exposes Unresolved Labour Dispute at BEDC

ELECTRICITY consumers across Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states have faced supply disruptions following an industrial action by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), prompting the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC Plc) to appeal for an immediate return to negotiations.

The strike began in the early hours of Monday 19 October 2026, after union members shut down electricity feeders serving the company’s operational areas. BEDC said it discovered the shutdown at about 2 a.m., leaving it significantly constrained in its ability to supply power to customers.

At the heart of the dispute are demands relating to consequential adjustments from the national minimum wage, salary harmonisation and broader employee welfare issues.

In its response, BEDC acknowledged the concerns raised by the union but maintained that discussions were already underway to resolve the outstanding issues. The company also pointed to welfare initiatives introduced since the current management took office in October 2022.

However, the disruption has extended the dispute beyond the workplace, affecting residents, commercial activities and institutions that rely on a steady electricity supply.

Wage Adjustment Committee Yet to Conclude Its Work

BEDC said management and union representatives had held discussions on the disputed issues, including a meeting on 7 October 2026.

As part of the process, both sides established a joint committee to examine the consequential adjustments arising from the national minimum wage. Nevertheless, the company said the committee had not completed its assessment or finalised its recommendations.

Management therefore urged the union to allow the process to run its course before reaching a final position on the matter.

Salary harmonisation presents another area of disagreement. According to BEDC, the exercise requires a careful review of the existing salary structure, employee classifications, internal equity and the financial implications of implementing any changes.

To address these concerns, the company said both parties had agreed to engage an independent consultant. Although a prospective consultant had been identified, arrangements to begin the review were still underway.

BEDC insisted that it remained willing to resolve the dispute through dialogue and a structured negotiation process. However, it also emphasised the need to balance employees’ expectations with the company’s operational and financial capacity.

Management Cites Salary Reviews & ₦125m Long-Service Awards

While negotiations continue, BEDC has defended its employee welfare record, outlining several measures it says were introduced under the current management.

The company disclosed that it implemented salary increases of between five per cent and 70 per cent across staff categories shortly after assuming responsibility in October 2022.

In addition, 957 employees received promotions between 2023 and 2025, while the company implemented 1,314 salary adjustments during that period.

BEDC also reported spending more than ₦125 million on long-service awards for over 1,394 employees. Furthermore, it paid approximately ₦75 million to clear outstanding staff exit benefits that had accumulated over about 10 years.

Beyond salaries and benefits, management said it introduced a formal Condition of Service framework, end-of-year welfare packages, expanded training opportunities and improved healthcare coverage. Annual medical examinations also formed part of its staff welfare programme.

The company added that it rewarded more than 100 employees with performance-based recognition and cash incentives exceeding ₦68 million.

Meanwhile, its group life insurance provision rose from ₦56.35 million to ₦103.15 million, while bereavement support for employees and their families exceeded ₦40 million.

BEDC further cited the provision of personal protective equipment, regular salary payments, work-life balance activities and the resolution of about 98 per cent of identified legacy tax-related concerns among its workforce.

Although these figures outline management’s reported interventions, the current industrial action demonstrates that important disagreements over wages and salary structures remain unresolved.

Households, Businesses & Essential Services Bear the Impact

The shutdown has raised concerns about the consequences of prolonged electricity disruptions across the company’s four-state franchise area.

BEDC warned that the industrial action had affected households, businesses, industries, healthcare facilities, public institutions and other essential services. Consequently, a dispute involving employee welfare has also placed additional pressure on customers and communities dependent on the distribution network.

While recognising workers’ right to express their grievances through lawful industrial processes, the company urged NUEE to call off the picketing action and restore electricity supply while negotiations continued.

“The resulting hardship is a matter of serious concern to Management,” BEDC said, stressing that consumers should not have to endure prolonged disruption while the parties worked towards a settlement.

The company appealed to union members to return to the negotiation table in the interests of employees, electricity users and the wider communities served by BEDC.

BEDC Calls for Dialogue & Apologises to Customers

As the dispute continues, BEDC has reiterated that dialogue, mutual understanding and due process remain essential to reaching a lasting agreement.

Management said the ongoing reviews required sufficient time to produce workable recommendations. It also pledged to continue engaging with union representatives to address their concerns without undermining the company’s operational and financial sustainability.

Meanwhile, BEDC apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the electricity disruption and appealed for their patience and understanding.

The company’s immediate priority, it said, was to work towards restoring reliable electricity distribution across Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states while pursuing a resolution with NUEE.

Ultimately, the duration of the disruption will depend on how quickly both sides can make progress on the outstanding labour issues and agree on a path back to normal operations.