BEDC loses over N2 billion in two days of electricity workers’ strike

From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Electricity Plc has reportedly lost over N2 billion within two days of the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).

Mr Akinleye Ogunleye, Chief Commercial Officer of BEDC, disclosed this during a press briefing with journalists in Benin, where he represented the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Engr Jonathan Lawani, to address the ongoing strike and its impact on electricity supply across BEDC’s franchise areas.

The industrial action, which commenced at approximately 2 a.m. on October 19, 2026, has significantly disrupted electricity supply following the shutdown of electricity feeders by the protesting workers.

Ogunleye said the disruption had affected the company’s ability to supply electricity to customers, with the financial implications of the strike mounting as the industrial action continued.

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 union, the BEDC chief commercial officer said the company’s management had introduced several initiatives since October 2022 to improve staff welfare, remuneration and working conditions.

According to him, the company implemented salary increases ranging from five per cent to 70 per cent across staff categories shortly after the current management assumed office.

He added that between 2023 and 2025, more than 1,000 employees benefited from promotions, while 833 workers received salary adjustments during the same period.

Ogunleye further disclosed that BEDC spent N125 million on long-service awards for 1,394 employees and paid approximately N75 million to clear outstanding staff exit benefits accumulated over about a decade.

Other welfare initiatives, he said, included end-of-year staff packages costing more than N100 million, performance-based cash incentives exceeding N68 million and financial assistance to employees and their families amounting to over N40 million.

He also noted that the company increased its group life assurance provision from N56.35 million to N103.15 million, alongside improvements in healthcare coverage, staff training, professional development and occupational safety.

On efforts to resolve the dispute, Ogunleye said management had held engagements with union representatives, with the most recent meeting taking place on October 7, 2026.

He explained that a committee comprising representatives of management and the unions had been established to examine the consequential adjustment arising from the national minimum wage, adding that the committee’s recommendations were yet to be concluded.

Regarding salary harmonisation, he said both parties had agreed to engage an independent consultant to review the company’s salary structure, employee categories and the financial implications of the proposed adjustments.

According to him, a prospective consultant had been identified, while arrangements were underway to commence the review.

The BEDC management expressed concern over the impact of the industrial action on customers, businesses, healthcare facilities, public institutions and other essential services that depend on electricity across its franchise areas.

Ogunleye 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 while discussions on the outstanding issues were ongoing.

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to constructive engagement with the union and the protection of employees’ welfare, while emphasising the need for a resolution that would support the company’s long-term financial sustainability and restore normal electricity supply.

The management also apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and appealed for their patience and understanding as efforts to resolve the dispute continued.