Tag: NDPHC

For her dedication to achieving the sector-wide goal of 6,000 megawatts in power generation, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Engr. Jennifer Adighije, has been honoured as the Young Achiever of the Year at the 2025 Energy Times Awards.

The award was presented over the weekend at a dinner held in Lagos, according to a press statement released to The Nation yesterday.

Organisers of the award noted that Adighije was selected for her “unwavering commitment to the sector-wide goal of 6,000 megawatts power generation to ensure widespread access to quality electricity.”

Following her appointment in August 2024, Adighije led the restoration of two turbine units that had been offline due to bearing defects, contributing an additional 230MW to the national power grid.

Speaking at the award dinner, Adighije described the honour as a humbling experience, especially for a management team that has been in office for less than a year.

“It’s a very humbling experience for us at NDPHC. As you are aware, we’re a new management. We’ve been in office less than a year. This is a call to work harder,” she said.

Adighije stressed that the new management under her leadership has a clear mandate to scale power generation.

According to her, the NDPHC is the only agency with the express mandate to carry out interventions across the value chain, stressing that her team is not losing focus on the mandate.

Read Also: NDPHC, NERC move to recoup N100b investment in TCN

“The mandate is very clear to us, which is to scale generation, transmission, and distribution capacity across the power sector. We are the only agency or institution or entity in the power sector with the express mandate to carry out interventions across the entire gas-to-electricity ecosystem. And we’re not losing sight of this,” she stated.

Other awardees at the event are the Governor of Ekiti, Abayomi Oyebanji, as the Energy Governor of the Year; the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, as the Power Sector Personality of the Year; former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, as the Man of the Year; the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, as the Transformational Leader of the Year; and the CEO of Ikeja Electric, Folake Soetan, who emerged as the Amazon of Nigeria Power Sector.

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited bagged the Major Oil Company of the Year; Seplat Energy is the Fastest Growing Indigenous Oil Company of the Year; Egbin Power got the Sustainable Development Company of the Year; Heirs Energies is the Outstanding Oil Company of the Year; NNPC spokesman, Olufemi Soneye as honoured with an Award of Excellence, among other recipients.

Off-takers who have submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the stranded energy of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) projected to finalize their Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by 2025.

The government-owned firm has allocated its stranded power capacity to bilateral and eligible customers, in line with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)’s directive issued on July 25, 2024.

Speaking at the NDPHC 2024 End-of-Year and Award Ceremony on Friday, the Managing Director, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, revealed that some off-takers have expressed interest in acquiring up to 100MW of capacity each.

She said: “We have always had a generation capacity in excess of demand and the demand is coming from the downstream markets. 

“So, we must understand that the market is driven by demand which has created a lot of stranded energy for us because we have energy generated in excess of demand.

 “But with this new management our strategic would unlock that stranded energy by dedicating significant portions of that energy now to eligible customers and bilateral trading arrangements pursuant to the order July 25th order of the NERC directing us now to trade bilaterally with eligible customers so that should be able to address our stranded capacity.

 “But we already have a lot of off-takers that have sent expression of interest like Zenith Point is supposed to off-take about 100 megawatts. We have Function, about 100 megawatts, as well as several other potential PPAs that we are likely to sign in 2025.

“So that would address to a large extent our stranded capacity challenge talking about 2025.”

Recall President Ahmed Tinubu appointed Adighije on the 19th of August 2024, and she assumed office, alongside the new management team on the 26th of August.

Asked to state how far she has fared in 120 days, she said she has attained a number of milestones, which includes focusing around restoration of recovery of assets that were stranded at the ports for many years.

According to her, the company has improved staff welfare significantly.

On debt recovery, Adighije said NDPHC has been able to recover huge debt from its bilateral customers to shore up its liquidity.

“As you can see and we have also got very aggressively after debt recovery from our bilateral customers that were owing us and exposing us to huge amounts of debt. So with these in place we are able to shore up our liquidity and we are looking forward to the journey ahead.”

She said the sector is characterized by cash issues across all the sub sectors and across the entire ecosystem.

According to her, the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) are claiming to be owed heavily which is why the bulk electricity trader does not settle 100 percent of invoices.

The Managing Director said the bulk trader settles about 30 to 35 percent on the invoices.

She added: “You must also bear in mind that 65 to 70 percent of our cost of generation goes to gas supply so in turn we also owe our gas suppliers.

“So by improving our liquidity we are able to we are able to address some of our debts that were some of the exposure that we have to our gas suppliers and we are able to settle some of our gas debts to meet our gas obligations to a large extent.” 

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has stormed the 435MW Geregu II gas powered plant to stabilise the national grid with a spinning reserve and ancillary services.

Addressing reporters after taking a tour on the plant in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, the Managing Director, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, said since the transmission grid network has been susceptible to disruptions, it was necessary to visit the plant to ensure its optimal performance.

She said the company wants to guarantee solutions to blackstart services, spinning reserves and ancillary services to build further resilience for the grid.

“And also in rendering services to the transmission network, for instance, Blackstart services and ancillary services, spinning reserve services.

” We want to ensure that we are able to offer those solutions to enhance the grid stability and to build further resilience for the grid.”

Explaining why she led the management team, including Engr. Steve Azinge, Engr. Steve Abdullahi and others to the plant, she said: “We do recognise the fact that very recently, our transmission grid network has been very vulnerable to disruptions, and therefore, it is expedient upon us as management to come down to the field to ensure that our power plants and our equipment are working and performing optimally.

“Optimally to render services to the transmission grid that would ensure that there’s grid stability, and that would ensure that we’re able to sustain the performance of the power sector as a whole.”

Adighije described staff welfare issue as a cardinal priority of the management, which also accounted for her visit to familiarize with the staff.
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According to her, operational issues could be resolved from the head office in Abuja.
She said, “We are committed to delivering on our mandate, and that mandate, for us, a priority in that mandate is you.

“The cardinal priority is on staff welfare, which is why I insisted on coming here to meet you, familiarize with you, and to associate with you. The issues, operational issues, we can resolve from Abuja.”

The NDPHC boss said the management has already started to address some of the manpower issues, chiefly, the staff dichotomy that the workforce complained about.

According to her, to regularize the staff employment and phase out the existing dichotomy is subject to the approval of the board.

The Managing Director said the company is already applying a solution to ensure there is no third party staff among the workforce in order to give all a sense of belonging.

She said, “Top of the list is this issue of staff disparity and staff dichotomy, which I do not agree with, because we are one family.

“Every staff, whatever your job function, whatever your role, you are valuable to us. So we have started the process, but of course you know that it’s subject to board approval, but at EXCO level, we have come up with solutions to ensure that we begin to do the necessary to migrate staff, particularly the third-party staff, to feel better served by the company and to feel a sense of belonging.”

Stressing that the success of the plant is a factor of staff welfare, she vowed to tackle their constraints.

Adighije said, “So that is a demonstration of our commitment to our manpower, and because we know that when our manpower are happy, our machines will be happy. So I want to let you know that we understand the issues.

“You don’t even need to say it. We feel your pulse. We feel your pains, and this management, we’re committed to changing the narrative.”

She urged the staff to understand that the issue is already getting the necessary attention and patiently wait for when it will be finally addressed.

Read Also: NDPHC to bridge power gaps with increased capacity

On operational challenges, she said the company has started a process for communicating with the Chief Operating Officer and the General Manager in order to proffer solutions to the challenges.

Continuing, she said because of the financial constraint and grid limitations that are impeding on the company’s revenue earning potential, it has to prioritize its needs

Adighije said, “But you must also understand that we have financial constraints.
“I am sure you know our operational limitations, grid limitations, and all of that, that impacts our revenue earning potential.

“And therefore, as such, we are duty-bound to ensure that we spend prudently and judiciously. So we’ll prioritize our needs, but like I said, be rest assured that you have the commitment of this leadership.”

Managing Director and chief executive officer, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Jennifer Adighije, has disclosed her plans to prioritise the optimisation of assets performance.

She also pledged to attain customer satisfaction and put staff welfare at the forefront of her mission.

At a town hall meeting in Abuja over the weekend, Adighije addressed staff during a “meet and greet” event where she formally introduced herself alongside other executive directors.

She highlighted the three pillars of her administration: “optimizing the performance of our assets, enhancing our processes to boost organizational efficiency, and leveraging technology and human capital to foster positive change and long-term transformation.”

While highlighting the indelible fact that human capital is the greatest asset of any thriving organisation, she made it clear that staff welfare would be a priority under her leadership.

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According to her, staff welfare was important to achieve the other two goals.

Already, she noted that within the short space of assumption, she and her team were already working out a housing plan for the staff in addition to other crucial incentives.

The NDPHC boss told her staff that even though the financial situation of the company was currently dire, she expressed optimism that things would soon improve especially with the creation of a new directorate of Commercial and Strategy, promising to reward staff who attract bilateral trading business.

She, however, warned that to achieve these lofty objectives, staff must be ready to become more disciplined, dedicated, and prompt.

“If I can get to the office at 8.30 long before the official resumption of 9. am, I don’t see why any staff will be late to work.

“Any staff that knows that they are not ready to cooperate with my team to achieve the mandate of the company should decide immediately and leave as there will be zero tolerance for incompetence and indiscipline.”

She expressed her determination to recalibrate NDPHC, the biggest integrated power company in Nigeria to regain its pride of place in terms of efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

The event was filled with insightful discussions, introductions, and exciting moments as some staff carted away numerous prizes including the star prize of one million naira, giant refrigerators, fans, and other consolation prizes.

Both management and the staff had an incredible time connecting and celebrating together.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a new management team for the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) with Engineer Jennifer Adighije as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The appointment of the new board was contained in a statement on Monday evening by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

Adighije boasts a strong background in engineering and management with a Master’s degree from Queen Mary University of London and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Lagos.

The new management team also includes Engineer Abdullahi Kassim as Executive Director (Generation); Engineer Bello Babayo Bello as Executive Director (Networks); Mr. Emmanuel Umeoji as Executive Director (Corporate Services); Mr. Omololu Agoro as Executive Director (Finance & Accounts); Engineer Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as Executive Director (Strategy & Commercial) and Barrister Steven Andzenge as Executive Director (Legal Services).

According to the statement, President Tinubu expects the new team to leverage their expertise to drive NDPHC’s mandate of effectively managing the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), enhancing Nigeria’s power sector.

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new management team for the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

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“The new members of the management of the company are as follows: Engineer Jennifer Adighije — Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer; Engineer Abdullahi Kassim — Executive Director (Generation); Engineer Bello Babayo Bello — Executive Director (Networks); Mr. Emmmanuel Umeoji — Executive Director (Corporate Services); Mr. Omololu Agoro — Executive Director (Finance & Accounts); Engineer Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama — Executive Director (Strategy & Commercial); and Barrister Steven Andzenge — Executive Director (Legal Services).

“The new NDPHC Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Jennifer Adighije, is an experienced engineer with vast competencies across management functions in the private and public sectors.

“She holds a master’s degree in Wireless Networks & Telecommunications from Queen Mary University of London, UK, and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

“The President expects the new members of the management of the company to deploy their expertise and experience to drive NDPHC’s mandate of effectively managing the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP),” the statement reads.

The Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Chiedu Ugbo, has assured that the Gbarain Power Plant will soon become operational.

Ugbo spoke when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Power visited the plight for an oversight function.

He, however, said cash flow constraint was the major issue that delayed the resuscitation of the burnt Power Control Module adding that when he came on board in 2016, Gbarain Power Plant was still a construction site.

He said: “We had to put a unit to the grid and unfortunately the temporary power control module put in place got burnt. But at the time it happened, we had a more pressing threat to the community which was the line pipe laid before 2015 was being washed away by River Nun.

“It got to a point when the pipeline was dangling on top of the river and no responsible management would ignore such a tremendous threat to the host community.

Read Also: Reps urge Shettima to summon emergency meeting of NDPHC board

“We shut down the plant, made sure we fixed that pipeline by doing a horizontal direction by burying it many metres away. We couldn’t take the two capital-intensive projects together because of our financial limitations. Right now, we are being owed close to N200 billion forever because as NBET is paying, it is accumulating more.

“Right now, we have completed the line pipe project, and the entire community is now safe. It is now time to confront the PCM issues and we have informed the original equipment manufacturer, Scheider, we have done the procurement but to fast-track the resuscitation of Gbarain, we are moving one from one of our sites and replacing it with one that will be purchased.

“However, all the engineering and gas assets are well preserved, and the plant is obviously well maintained. It was just coincidental that the resolution was tabled otherwise, we were already well on the way to fixing the problem”

Ugbo said it would be difficult to determine the exact day the PCM would be fixed since it was an engineering issue.

He said: “To assure the honourable member representing Yenagoa, Okpokuma federal constituency, Mr. Ofoji that our team will sit with representatives of Bayelsa State Government and agree on timelines to bring the equipment and install it.

“This was the first site I visited after I resumed as managing director. There was a procurement for reinforcement of the 1.5-kilometre gas pipeline from the Shell facility to this place. It was on the bank of River Nun”.