6 days ago
23
…As Heavy Gridlock Hits Access Road
IBADAN – The sacked staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Tuesday stormed the Ibadan Headquarters of Company at Ring Road Ibadan, the Capital City of Oyo State.
The affected staff were in IBEDC uniform with placards bearing various inscriptions.
The Union had earlier issued a 24-hour ultimatum to IBEDC management, demanding the reinstatement of the affected staff.
The protest followed the expiration of the deadline, NLC members mobilized to the IBEDC Capital Building in Ring Road, temporarily shutting down operations and denying customers access to the premises.
The affected staff close to one thousand in number blocked the main access road to IBEDC Headquarters, thereby causing gridlock at the road linking Challenge to Ring Road- down to Mobil/Oluyole road.
Motorists were forced to ply one way causing heavy gridlock on Ring Road/Challenge/Mobil Oluyole Road.
Part of the demands of the aggrieved IBEDC Staff are salary increment (implementation of the new minimum wage), prompt payment and remittance of RSA backlogs, regularization of outsourced staff to IBEDC Staff, denial of union membership, standard health care scheme, payment of allowance and compensation, job security and reduction of work overload, among others.
While reacting to the development, the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) condemned the protest that took place at it’s Head Office, stating that the demonstrators were not its direct employees.
In an official statement made available to journalists clarified that the protesters were former contract staff engaged by PIPLL, a third-party recruitment outsourcing firm responsible for their employment.
IBEDC emphasized that it had no direct employment relationship with the individuals involved in the demonstration and decried the disruption of its operations.
“The management of IBEDC wishes to address the protest that took place today at our Head Office involving a group of former PIPLL staff. We would like to clarify that these individuals are not employees of IBEDC,” the statement read.
The company reassured the public that it is working closely with PIPLL to ensure a swift resolution and reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards of staff welfare.
The protest that which was led by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter lasted for several hours as the affected IBEDC staff demanded audience from the outsource company managing their affairs.
While addressing journalists over the matter, the NLC Chiarman in Oyo state, Comrade Kayode Martins insisted that they would not leave until IBEDC management addressed their demands.
Comrade Martins said, “We will not back down until the management does the needful and reinstates the affected workers,” Martins declared.
However, as tension escalated, the Oyo State Police Command stepped in to mediate between the parties involved. To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the police authorities invited IBEDC management, PIPLL representatives, and NLC leaders to a meeting aimed at finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
IBEDC maintained its position that the affected staff were outsourced by PIPLL and stated that discussions are ongoing with the firm to address the situation.
The company assured customers that its services remain unaffected despite the protest and reaffirmed its dedication to professionalism and operational excellence across its franchise.
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