BEDC loses over N2bn to two-day workers’ strike – Management

The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BEDC Electricity Plc, Engr. Jonathan Lawani, has said the company lost over N2 billion in revenue to the two-day industrial strike embarked upon by the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE.

DAILY POST reports that the union began industrial protests on Monday, October 19, 2026, across BEDC’s franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo to demand improved welfare and better conditions of service.

Lawani, represented by the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Akinleye Ogunleye, disclosed this on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in Benin City while briefing journalists on the ongoing strike and its impact on electricity supply across BEDC’s franchise areas.

He said the disruption had affected the company’s ability to supply electricity to customers, adding that the financial implications of the strike would continue to increase as the industrial action persisted.

He explained that the dispute arose from concerns over consequential salary adjustments following the implementation of the national minimum wage, salary harmonisation and other employee welfare matters.

While acknowledging the concerns raised by the protesting workers, the BEDC boss said the management had introduced several initiatives since October 2022 to improve staff welfare, remuneration and working conditions.

According to him, since assuming responsibility in October 2022, the current management had prioritised organisational stability, employee welfare, improved working conditions and the establishment of structures to support sustainable staff development.

He said, “Within this period, several initiatives have been introduced or implemented to improve the welfare, motivation and professional development of employees.

“These initiatives included the implementation of salary increases ranging from five per cent to 70 per cent across staff categories shortly after the current management assumed office.

“Between 2023 and 2025, more than 1,000 employees benefited from promotions, while 833 workers received salary adjustments, among other welfare packages, during the same period.

“Management conducted a long-service award programme, recognising more than 1,394 employees for their years of dedication and service to the company, at a cost of over N125 million.

“Management also cleared a substantial backlog of outstanding staff exit benefits accumulated over approximately 10 years, with payments amounting to about N75 million.

“This intervention addressed long-standing employee obligations and demonstrated management’s commitment to resolving inherited welfare concerns,” he said.

He also listed other initiatives, including an increase in the company’s group life insurance provision from N56.35 million to N103.15 million, thereby strengthening the protection available to employees under the scheme.

Lawani, however, disclosed that a committee comprising representatives of the management and the unions had been established to examine the consequential adjustments arising from the national minimum wage.

He lamented that the committee had yet to conclude its assignment before the strike commenced.

He appealed to the union to suspend the strike and return to the negotiation table, stressing that customers and members of the public should not continue to bear the consequences of the dispute.

Earlier, the Edo State Chairman of NUEE, Comrade Uwumarogie Owenaze William, said the strike resulted from the management’s refusal to address the union’s grievances.

William listed the union’s grievances to include the non-implementation of the minimum wage, salary harmonisation and increments, stagnation in promotions, and demands for improved workers’ welfare.

He said the union had given the management adequate time to address its grievances but that the management had failed to reciprocate.

He appealed to BEDC customers to bear with the union, stressing that the strike would continue until its demands were met.

DAILY POST recalls that NUEE commenced the strike at about 2 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026, significantly disrupting electricity supply following the shutdown of electricity feeders by the protesting workers.

BEDC loses over N2bn to two-day workers’ strike – Management