In a significant move to strengthen Nigeria’s power sector, the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation has expressed its commitment to collaborating with Egbin Power Plc to improve the company’s performance and overall power generation in the country. This development came to light during an oversight visit to the Egbin Power Plant, where the Committee, led by its Chairman, Hon. Hamisu Ibrahim, emphasized the need for partnership with stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to achieve improved power generation.
The visiting lawmakers, accompanied by the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, and his team, were received by the CEO of Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bounour, and members of the management team. During the visit, the Committee was given a comprehensive overview of the plant’s operations and was later taken on a tour of the facility.
In his presentation to the House Committee, Bounour highlighted Egbin Power’s commitment to providing stable and reliable power generation to drive socio-economic progress in Nigeria. However, he noted that the company faces some operational constraints that impact its ability to operate at optimal capacity. Despite these challenges, Bounour emphasized that Egbin Power has continuously invested in the plant, its people, and the environment, with a focus on delivering best-in-class service and bringing energy to life responsibly in line with global best practices.
To enable the company to operate more efficiently, Bounour explained that Egbin Power has implemented several initiatives, including enhancing health and safety measures, upgrading its Distributed Control System for five units, ensuring capacity building and development for staff, providing a conducive work environment for employees, and creating sustainable initiatives that promote good health and support biodiversity. He further noted that the company will continue to drive operational excellence and sustainable growth through innovative solutions and technology.
Hon. Ibrahim, the Chairman of the House Committee, commended Egbin Power for its commitment to national service and pledged to partner with the company to address the challenges it faces and improve its performance. He noted that the issues highlighted by Egbin Power are similar to those affecting other generation companies in the power sector and emphasized that performance in the sector will improve when these challenges are carefully addressed through deliberation and collaboration with other stakeholders.
The Director General of the BPE, Mr. Gbeleyi, also applauded Egbin Power’s management and staff for their efficiency and continuous effort towards delivering reliable electricity supply to drive the economy. He commended the company for its commitment to best practices, technical excellence, and operational sustainability, noting that these efforts are crucial to the growth and development of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The collaboration between Egbin Power and the House Committee is expected to have a positive impact on the power sector, driving socio-economic progress in Nigeria. With Egbin Power’s commitment to delivering best-in-class service and the House Committee’s pledge to support, the stage is set for improved power generation and distribution in the country. This development is a welcome relief to Nigerians who have been grappling with the challenges of power supply for years.
As the power sector continues to play a critical role in Nigeria’s economic development, the partnership between Egbin Power and the House Committee is a significant step in the right direction. It demonstrates the commitment of both parties to work together to address the challenges facing the sector and to improve the overall performance of the power industry. With this collaboration, Nigerians can look forward to a more reliable and stable power supply, which will have a positive impact on the economy and the overall quality of life.
