The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has relieved over 780 staff of their services to the company in continuation of what it called “rightsizing exercise.”
OPTIMUM TIMES reports that since assumption of ownership of AEDC by Transcorp Power in 2023, there had been instability in top management appointments culminating to two Managing Directors namely: Christopher Ezeafulukwe who ssumed office as Managing Director/CEO on September 1, 2023 and Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye who is still acting Managing Director effective July 21, 2024, succeeding Ezeafulukwe.
Also, recall that in the last five years, Bada Akinwumi and Victor Ojelabi had served either as interim managing director or acting managing director, signalling instability in top management cadres.
The latest staff lay off which cut across levels 4 to 10 including casual workers, it was learnt is the outcome of protracted negotiations between AEDC management led by its current Managing Director, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye and the in-house two staff unions: National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).
With most staff already served with letters of disengagement as at Thursday, it remains uncertain who and who will be next affected as palpable fear pervades the AEDC premises in all its franchise areas currently in operation as states assume regulatory control over power distribution going by the provisions of Electricity Act of 2023 which granted autonomy to states.
One of the letters sighted by OPTIMUM TIMES reads in part:
NOTIFICATION OF DISENGAGEMENT FROM SERVICE
We regret to inform you that your services with the Company will no longer be required, effective 5th November 2025. This decision follows the outcome of the company’s ongoing rightsizing exercise.
“Please be assured that this decision was made after careful consideration and in accordance with company policy.
“You are kindly required to complete the Exit Clearance process in your Zone and return any company property in your possession prior to your final exit to your HR Business Partner. Completion of these formalities will be required before the processing of your exit payment.
All outstanding entitlements, including your salary and any other benefits due up to your final working day, amounting to ….will be duly processed for payment.
“Please note that applicable deductions, including PAYE, check-off dues, outstanding loans, and unretired advances (if any) will be made in accordance with Company policy and relevant statutory provisions.
“AEDC acknowledges your contributions during your period of service and extends best wishes for success in your future endeavors.”
Also, the agreement earlier reached by the AEDC management with the in-house staff unions reads in part:
RESOLUTIONS
“After exhaustive, week-long deliberations and mutual concessions, the following Heads of Agreement were negotiated, reached and adopted as the full and final understanding between the parties in line with the extant AEDC Conditions of Service:
1. Exit Package for Staff on AEDC Grades 6-4
*28% of Annual Gross Salary as End-Of-Service Exit Token
*Payment of Thirteen (13) Months’ Basic Salary as Separation Benefits
*Payment of the 13th Month Salary
2. Exit Package for Staff on AEDC Grades 7-10
*39% of Annual Gross Salary as End-of-Service Exit Token.
*Payment of Fifteen (15) Months’ Basic Salary.
*Payment of 13th Month Salary
3. Exit Package for Ad-hoc Staff Category
*45% of Annual Gross Salary as End-of-Service Exit Token
*Payment of Twenty (20) Months’ Basic Salary as Separation Benefits
*Payment of 13th Month Salary
4. Check-off Dues for Union Members
*2.5% of the total agreed exit package for all categories listed above shall be deducted as check-off dues in favour of NUEE and SSAEAC.
5. Check-off Dues for Non-union Members
*3.0% of the total agreed exit package for all non-members shall be deducted and remitted as service charge to the Unions.
6. Pension Contributions
*All outstanding pension contributions for affected staff shall be computed and remitted to the respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) in accordance with statutory provisions.
7. Exit Letters
*Official Exit Letters shall be dispatched to all impacted staff from Monday, 3 November 2025.
8. Exit Clearance Process
All affected staff are required to undergo a mandatory Exit Clearance Process prior to payment of exit packages.”
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