Following a directive from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Tinuade Sanda, and other executives and staff members in the company who were seconded from West Power Gas (WPG) Limited (WPG) to the Disco, have been relieved of their appointment.
WPG is the parent company of EKEDC.
Sanda’s removal, it was gathered, is in conformity with the directive of the NERC, which instructed the EKEDC to ensure that staff members working for the utility are employed by the Disco and are bound by the service conditions that are applicable to the employees of the utility and paid through the utility’s payroll.
Announcing her removal in a letter signed by the Chairman, EKEDC, Dere Otubu, and dated March 21, this year, entitled: “Implementation of NERC directive on seconded staff,” the Chairman noted that the Disco was left with no option than to adhere to NERC’s directive in accordance with the authority vested in NERC.
“In compliance to the above directive, all seconded staff of WPG are being released by EKEDC and returned to WPG Ltd,” the letter stated. “You are hereby relieved of your role, office, and position at EKEDC, effective immediately, and returned to your employer, WPG Ltd. WPG is the core investor in EKEDC.
“We hereby record our appreciation of your valuable services and contribution to the growth and success achieved by EKEDC over the years as a seconded staff from WPG,” the letter read, adding that Sanda was to hand over to the highest-ranking staff of EKEDC under her.
NERC, it was gathered, in reaction to a petition received earlier from a staff of the utility, wrote to the Disco, titled: “Alleged Ghost Workers In Eko Electricity Distribution Company – Call For Investigation,” instructed the Disco to “ensure all existing WPG secondees involved in the loss of revenue to EKEDC in this matter are withdrawn back to WPG.”
Meanwhile, in compliance with NERC’s directive, the EKEDC yesterday announced the appointment of another female, Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, as its the Acting CEO.
Momoh has over 31 years in the power sector, rising through the ranks from the days of NEPA, PHCN and now EKEDC. A consummate marketing professional by training, she holds an MBA from Lagos State University. She’s a fellow of several professional bodies including Nigeria Institute of Management, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria and several others. She has attended several leadership and management courses and training programmes both locally and internationally.
“We have great confidence in her ability to perform this role effectively and take the company to greater heights,” the statement signed by the Board of EKEDC, said.