Leadership tussle: NERC asks Eko DisCo to comply with directive

The Nigeria Electricity Distribution Company (NERC) has clarified its earlier directive on the need for Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to redeploy seconded staff from its parent company, West Power and Gas ltd.

It would be recalled that the directive led to EKEDC having two Managing Directors/CEO as its Legal Director nullified the earlier sack of Dr. Tinuade Sanda.

But a statement by NERC said the strong public interest generated by the event of EKEDC and the various interpretations of the resolutions conveyed vide the said letter, particularly with respect to paragraphs 4b and 4e led to the provision of further clarification.

“Paragraph 4b- All staff of EKEDP, irrespective of their form of engagement, will be subject to the Conditions of Service of EKEDP. The Commission deemed it necessary to pass this resolution based on the submission of EKEDP, at the meeting of 20 March 2024, that the Condition of Service (“CoS”) of EKEDP was not applicable to Seconded personnel from third party providers.”

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“Paragraph 4c – EKEDP Board is expected to conclude its review of its investigation into the allegation of Ghost workers to identify all personnel involved in causing loss of revenues to EKEDP no later than 27th March 2024. In a case where the indicted parties are seconded from third party providers and since they are reportedly NOT subject to the EKEDP CoS, they are to be recalled to their parent companies to avoid the risk of further losses to EKEDP.”

It added that the Commission recognized the powers of West Power and Gas ltd and the EKEDP Board of Directors on the deployment and redeployment of staff including changes to the management of the utility at any point based on a credible corporate governance framework and in furtherance of the fiduciary responsibility of directors.”

It said the letter only sought to provide clarification on the Commission’s earlier communication on this subject to avoid varied interpretations and further to the overriding public interest.