Shettima Reaffirms Government’s Commitment To Power Sector Reforms As NDPHC Marks 20 Years

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s power sector as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) celebrated its 20th anniversary. The event, held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, recognized NDPHC’s two decades of contributions to national development.

Shettima highlighted the Electricity Act 2023 as a landmark legislation that has strengthened NDPHC’s legal authority, commercial credibility, and institutional capacity, enabling the company to operate more effectively in a competitive and dynamic energy market. According to a statement by NDPHC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Emmanuel Ojor, the Vice President, who also chairs the company’s board, said the anniversary offers an opportunity for institutional transformation.

He explained that the board is transitioning NDPHC from an integration-focused entity to a commercially disciplined and market-oriented organization, while remaining aligned with its national mandate. Key priorities include maximizing the value of existing assets, enhancing contracts and market participation, ensuring governance-driven commercialisation, managing risks, and investing in human capital.

“As Chairman, I wish to affirm that the board is fully committed to its responsibilities. We will continue to provide strategic direction, uphold governance standards, support management in accountable decision-making, protect shareholder value, and align NDPHC with national energy and development objectives,” Shettima said.

The Vice President also praised President Bola Tinubu for restoring investor confidence in the power sector, describing his leadership as transformative and results-driven.

Earlier, Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu acknowledged NDPHC’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy, noting its extensive portfolio of generation plants and infrastructure developed through the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). Adelabu disclosed that NDPHC recently restored 345 megawatts of generation capacity to the national grid and highlighted the company’s “Light Up Nigeria” project, aimed at industrialisation and reliable electricity supply to industrial clusters nationwide.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended NDPHC Managing Director Engr. Jennifer Adighije for her exemplary performance since assuming office, emphasizing that sustainable power supply is essential for national development and industrial growth.

In her remarks, Adighije reaffirmed NDPHC’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s energy infrastructure and noted achievements in transmission and distribution, including the addition of over 9,000 MVA of transformer capacity and extensive construction of transmission lines and substations. She highlighted efforts to adopt a customer-centric approach and deepen strategic collaborations, while also announcing plans to access the bond market under the power sector refinancing initiative to address government debts to power generation companies.