Industrial action by electricity workers under the auspices of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has thrown Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states into total darkness.

The workers reportedly shut down facilities of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc over emoluments and welfare packages, just as they blocked members of staff the company from entering the premises as they shut down vital operational facilities. The action has thrown the franchise states into darkness since early Monday morning.

Many of the workers had to close early from their offices while management was said to be meeting with the leadership of NUEE as at the time of filing this report

But a senior staff member of the company disclosed in confidence that “We are surprised at their action, some of them even harassed some of our staff trying to record their actions. The current management recently reviewed their emoluments; I am surprised that they shut down facilities of the company.”

Several calls to the Edo State Chairman of NUEE, Williams Uwumarogie, were not picked.

But the Acting State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Bernard Egwakide, said the Union had earlier intervened in the labour dispute.

He said: “But right now, the leadership of NUEE is in a meeting with the management of the company, let us see how far they can resolve it, that will determine if we will intervene.”