Workplace: IBEDC, electricity workers ink new condition of service

*Kingsley Achife, Managing Director of of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, affirms the new condition of service for workers will create harmonious balance between Management’s goal and employees wellbeing in the energy company

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In the company’s bid to improve employees’ wellbeing and productivity, the Management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and its electricity workers’ unions have signed a new condition of service.

Speaking at the signing ceremony Thursday, August 10, 2023, at IBEDC Head Office, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Mr. Kingsley Achife, Managing Director of IBEDC, disclosed the Management had carefully crafted the new condition of service.

The IBEDC Chief stated that the new condition of service would create harmonious balance between management’s goal and employees wellbeing, report said.

Achife said that the Electricity Act President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed would bring complexity of business environment and competition in the power sector.

He, however, urged the staff of the company be in their best for mutual benefits of IBEDC and the employees.

According to him, the new condition of service captured a lot of things, including each employee service, exit package and other non-financial benefits to improve the wellbeing of all IBEDC employees.

Achife further said: “We understand that the operating environment for workers is becoming far harsher, the salary has been increased by 25 per cent, what Management want from staff are more hard work and partnership, so there will be enough money to support them as it is supposed to be.

The Managing Director of IBEDC noted: “The palliative package for the employees is going to be dependent on our performance, we must strive to be a viable company, be able to pay generation company and have surplus to support staff when and where necessary.”

In his remarks on the occasion, Martin Uzoegwu, President of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), said the new document gives workers confidence of job security.

Uzoegwu stated this would go a long way to cement a relationship and partnership between IBEDC and the Labour.

He as well urged IBEDC to ensure that all sections of the new condition of service, which was co-authored by the union and IBEDC Management was implemented effectively.

The Labour leader charged the IBEDC Management to always carry unions along in all its policy formulation and implementation.

Outsourcing and casualisation in the work environment has threatened employees’ job and had negative effects on the company’s operations.

A casual staff with low pay can do anything illegal to survive, he said.

“The last condition of service was signed in 2017 and by procedure it supposed to be every three years, we are unable to carry out its review due to some challenges.

“We thank God that after two years of processing new one, we are able to sign new condition of service today.”

He further stated he also appreciate the effort of the Management of IBEDC at ensuring the collective bargaining agreement is signed and sealed.

He stated: “The new condition of service spells out benefits of employees, dos and don’t, welfare package and necessary disciplinary actions to check theft and other gross misconduct among others.”