Report accusing our MD of reckless spending, corruption dubious, a smear campaign – NDPHC
Orisemeke Benjamin
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has described the publication by Sahara Reporters accusing the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, reckless spending and corruption as dubious and ill intended attempt to smear her person and mislead well‑meaning Nigerians.
In a statement signed by Head, Corporate and External Communications of NDPHC, Emmanuel Ojor, and seen by Blueprint on Sunday, the Company stated that Engr. Adighije since she resumed office has focused on turning around the fortunes of the Company through optimization of its assets in order to ramp up revenue while at the same time, curtailing excessive and unjustified expenditure.
According to the Company those conversant with NDPHC’s priorities know that “adding new generation capacity was not the immediate priority of NDPHC at this time, given the significant stranded capacity already available in the Company’s fleet of plants, the lack of adequate wheeling capacity in the national grid to evacuate and dispatch this power, and the hundreds of billions of Naira currently owed to NDPHC for power that has already been generated and delivered to the electricity market.”
The Company debunked claims that its MD approved the sum of N900 million for 25-year celebration when in fact it was established 20-years ago, adding that she does not have the powers to unilaterally approve such an amount as Vice President Kasshim Shettima heads the NDPHC.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Managing Director cannot, and has not, unilaterally approved any such expenditure of N900 million for any event. To raise alarm over a figure that has not been approved, and whose details (if it exists) have not even been finalised, only confirms the ill motive behind this smear campaign,” the company explained.
NDPHC insisted that the suggestion of “zero impact” by the MD is not only unfounded but regrettable stressing that her achievements are widely published.
The company noted that while systemic challenges in the power sector persist, NDPHC under the current leadership has made significant strides in stabilising operations and positioning the company for sustainable growth.
Some notable achievements of the NDPHC’s MD in her one year in office include: Recovery of 110 containers worth over $5 million containing critical turbine parts, HRSG parts and other materials that had been abandoned at Onne port for over 9 years; Recoup investments; Plant assets restoration; and the recovery of over $10 million from bilateral customers in legacy debts, amongst several others.
Also, “Staff morale has improved with the introduction of management support allowance to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal across all cadres of staff.”
While advising Sahara Reporters and all responsible media outlets to seek clarification from her office on any issue relating to NDPHC before publication, the company assured that “NDPHC and its Managing Director remain committed to transparency, accountability and constructive engagement with the public, the company warned that Engr. Adighije will not hesitate to exercise her fundamental rights — including seeking legal redress — against any media platform that publishes demonstrably false allegations against her without affording her a fair opportunity to respond.”
She therefore advised SR to withdraw this malicious story.
